spadework

American  

[spayd-wurk] / ˈspeɪdˌwɜrk /

noun

1. preliminary or initial work, such as the gathering of data, on which further activity is to be based.

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spadework British  

/ ˈspeɪdˌwɜːk /

noun

1. dull or routine preparatory work

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Etymology

Origin of spadework

First recorded in 1770–80; spade ¹ + work

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

spadework

The more ambitious plan could take years and billions of dollars of investment, as well as significant diplomatic spadework with wealthy foreign countries and international financial institutions to right-size Venezuela’s economy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 4, 2026

But Avlon was impressed by devotion to some of the basic spadework of political journalism at a time when flash and celebrity were a big part of the game.

From Slate ● Nov. 1, 2024

Progress is still possible in places where the spadework has largely been done, such as for the hydrogen demonstration network at Teesside in the United Kingdom.

From Nature ● Jun. 8, 2020

Bush, who sits in the top tier of polls of New Hampshire Republicans, has been busy with his spadework, a sign that even the son and brother of presidents can take little for granted.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 17, 2015

Moreover, the spadework had tom open his blistered hand again.

From "A Single Shard" by Linda Sue Park

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