51Թ

Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for

groundwork

[ ground-wurk ]

noun

  1. foundation or basis:

    He laid the groundwork for an international conference.



groundwork

/ ˈɡʊԻˌɜː /

noun

  1. preliminary work as a foundation or basis
  2. the ground or background of a painting, etc
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

51Թ History and Origins

Origin of groundwork1

First recorded in 1540–50; ground 1 + work
Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The plant is due to open in 2031, and although a final investment decision has not yet been made, groundwork is already well under way.

From

They will be laying the groundwork for the rest of the audit.

From

The “antebellum doctrine” of rights at birth was present in the laws of at least six northern states, laying the groundwork for a post-Civil War amendment.

From

The passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1994, which laid the groundwork for the current trade pact, changed that.

From

The Border Security Bill sets out Labour's plan to treat people smugglers like terrorists and repeals most of the Conservative's Illegal Migration Act 2023, which laid the legal groundwork for the Rwanda policy.

From

Advertisement

Related 51Թs

Discover More

More About Groundwork

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.

Where does groundwork come from?

The first records of the term groundwork come from around 1540. It combines the word ground, the surface of the earth, and work, as in “labor” or “toil.” Literally, groundwork is work done on the ground. Figuratively, it describes the beginning work of a new relationship or something similar.

Some examples of physical groundwork include installing a foundation, marking a claim of land, and removing sod or grass from a section of land. Sometimes groundwork is used to describe the beginning steps of a painting or work of art in which the backgrounds or landscapes are drawn before the subject.

Did you know … ?

What are some synonyms for groundwork?

What are some words that share a root or word element with groundwork?

What are some words that often get used in discussing groundwork?

How is groundwork used in real life?

Groundwork is often used figuratively in everyday conversations.

Try using groundwork!

True or False?

Groundwork is the last step in a construction project.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement