groundwork
Americannoun
noun
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preliminary work as a foundation or basis
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the ground or background of a painting, etc
Usage
What is groundwork? Groundwork is a foundation or basis. Groundwork can describe an actual plot of land for a building or construct, but it can also be used figuratively to describe the beginnings of a negotiation or agreement. Example: I’m laying the groundwork for a new partnership right now.
Etymology
Origin of groundwork
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A joint statement afterward said they talked about how to head off escalation and lay the groundwork for talks.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026
But in the final weeks, he also started laying groundwork for a post-playing career in case the phone never rang.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 25, 2026
However, an earlier excavation across the road had uncovered items from the Roman period and MSDC's archaeological adviser previously recommended that no groundwork should take place until a programme of archaeological monitoring was approved.
From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026
"Our findings are laying the groundwork for an observation we'll get in the next couple of years," Schmerr said.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 3, 2026
“I reckon I can. I’ll describe your hangdog look and shoeless state for her too. Lay you a good solid groundwork for some groveling.”
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
