groundwork
Americannoun
noun
-
preliminary work as a foundation or basis
-
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.
My first special “Hijabs Off” was me laying the groundwork.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 2, 2026
METR’s report on how OpenAI’s agents had gone rogue laid the groundwork for the first great national panic over AI safety.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2026
Scientists hope it will help lay the groundwork for eventual human exploration.
From Barron's ● Oct. 19, 2026
"Our study elucidates LPC70's role in PG signaling, laying the groundwork for future clinical research and dietary interventions aimed at reducing hypertension-related cognitive decline and promoting healthy aging globally," concluded Prof. Mouri.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 18, 2026
I quit selecting certain of my New York brothers and giving them money to go and lay groundwork for new mosques in other cities—because slighting remarks were being made about “Malcolm’s ministers.”
From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions 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.
