groundwork

noun

ground·​work ˈgrau̇nd-ˌwərk 

: foundation, basis

laid the groundwork for a new program

also : preparation made beforehand

The groundwork was done before the winter tour.

—Susan Reiter

Synonyms of groundwork

• foundation
• basis
• cornerstone
• bedrock

Examples of groundwork in a Sentence

they had collectively laid the groundwork for a new kind of art

Recent Examples on the Web

However, as MacRumors pointed out, the update’s code suggests Apple appears to be laying the groundwork for search ads in Apple Maps, which would allow businesses to pay for higher placement in search results. —Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026

Those uncrewed missions have also all laid the groundwork for NASA to understand just how and where a surface mission with astronauts may be viable. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026

For years, this debate between stricter codes and affordable housing festered behind the scenes, including at the obscure International Code Council, which brings together government officials, contractors, appliance makers and others to lay the groundwork for model codes. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026

Long before Manhattan's iconic street grid took shape, an English widow laid the groundwork for a settlement in Brooklyn, arranging a small village in what would become the United States into one of the first grid patterns. —Hannah Kliger, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing groundwork

• lay the groundwork/foundation

Rhymes for groundwork

• artwork
• beadwork
• berserk
• breastwork
• brickwork
• brushwork
• casework
• classwork
• clockwork
• coursework
• ductwork
• earthwork

Kids Definition

groundwork

noun

ground·​work ˈgrau̇n-ˌdwərk 

: foundation sense 2, basis