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
Susan Reiter Examples of groundwork in a Sentence
they had collectively laid the groundwork for a new kind of art
Recent Examples on the Web
During his 24 years on the Board of Supervisors, Haggerty’s vision of a connected Bay Area laid the groundwork for some of the largest infrastructure projects under construction today.
—
Chase Hunter,
Mercury News,
6 July 2026
Those moments would lay the groundwork for others to come that were far more consequential and far more meaningful.
—
Dawn M. Turner,
Chicago Tribune,
5 July 2026
The standoff has laid the groundwork for what is shaping up to be this year's most anticipated corporate event in German industry, when Volkswagen's management will seek to win the approval of the firm's supervisory board on July 9.
—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
2 July 2026
June 27, 1776, was a momentous day for the Bay Area, California, and the world as 240 men, women, and children arrived mostly by foot from Mexico to what is now called San Francisco to set up camp and lay the groundwork for the future.
—
Brian Hackney,
CBS News,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for groundwork
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Chase Hunter,
Mercury News,
6 July 2026
Those moments would lay the groundwork for others to come that were far more consequential and far more meaningful.
—
Dawn M. Turner,
Chicago Tribune,
5 July 2026
The standoff has laid the groundwork for what is shaping up to be this year's most anticipated corporate event in German industry, when Volkswagen's management will seek to win the approval of the firm's supervisory board on July 9.
—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
2 July 2026
June 27, 1776, was a momentous day for the Bay Area, California, and the world as 240 men, women, and children arrived mostly by foot from Mexico to what is now called San Francisco to set up camp and lay the groundwork for the future.
—
Brian Hackney,
CBS News,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for groundwork
Cite this Entry
“Groundwork.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/groundwork. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
groundwork
noun
ground·work
ˈgrau̇n-ˌdwərk
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
