noun
groundwork
noun
1
The basic preparatory work that everything else is built on.
"She spent months laying the groundwork for the merger before announcing it publicly."
"The early research laid the groundwork for later breakthroughs in the field."
How to Use Groundwork
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe essential early preparation that makes later success possible.
Common pairings
lay the groundwork
do the groundwork
Word Forms
groundworks plural
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She spent months laying the _____ for the merger before announcing it publicly.
Etymology
A compound of ground and work, literally the work done on or forming the ground/foundation of something.