groundwork

noun

ground·​work ˈgrau̇nd-ˌwərk How to pronounce groundwork (audio)
: foundation, basis
laid the groundwork for a new program
also : preparation made beforehand
the groundwork was done before the winter tour Susan Reiter

Examples of groundwork in a Sentence

they had collectively laid the groundwork for a new kind of art
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The extreme weather conditions threatened to impact 100 million people, including those living in northern areas, where heavy winds laid the groundwork for blizzard conditions expected to include up to 6 inches of snow. Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2025 As early as the 1970s, forward-thinking urban planners laid the groundwork for a food-friendly ecosystem, protecting green spaces and establishing gardens and distribution networks. Jill Barth, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025 The passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1994, which laid the groundwork for the current trade pact, changed that. Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2025 The federal government is laying the groundwork to sell off America’s public lands — places that belong to all of us. Janessa Goldbeck, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for groundwork

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of groundwork was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Groundwork.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/groundwork. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

groundwork

noun
ground·​work ˈgrau̇n-ˌdwərk How to pronounce groundwork (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on groundwork

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