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Definition of groundwork noun from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

 

groundwork

 noun
noun
NAmE//ˈɡraʊndwərk//
 
[uncountable] groundwork (for something)
 
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work that is done as preparation for other work that will be done later Officials are laying the groundwork for a summit conference of world leaders. Thesaurusbasis
  • foundation
  • groundwork
  • base
These are all words for the ideas, facts, or work that something is based on.
  • basis [usually sing.] a principle, an idea, or a fact that supports something and that it can develop from:This article will form the basis for our discussion.
  • foundation [C, U] a principle, an idea, or a fact that supports something and that it develops from:Respect and friendship provide a solid foundation for marriage. The rumor is totally without foundation (= is not based on any facts).
basis or foundation?
  • Foundation is often used to talk about larger or more important things than basis:He laid the foundations of Japan's modern economy. These figures formed the basis of their claim for compensation.
  • groundwork [U] work that is done as preparation for other work that will be done later:Her study laid the groundwork for my research.
  • base [usually sing.] an idea, a fact, or a situation from which something is developed:This work provided us with a strong base upon which to build the company.
Patterns
  • a/the basis/foundation/groundwork/base for something
  • a secure/solid/sound/strong/weak basis/foundation/base
  • to form the basis/foundation/base of something
  • to lay the foundation/groundwork for something
  • to be without basis/foundation
 Thesaurusbasis
  • foundation
  • groundwork
  • base
These are all words for the ideas, facts, or work that something is based on.
  • basis [usually sing.] a principle, an idea, or a fact that supports something and that it can develop from:This article will form the basis for our discussion.
  • foundation [C, U] a principle, an idea, or a fact that supports something and that it develops from:Respect and friendship provide a solid foundation for marriage. The rumor is totally without foundation (= is not based on any facts).
basis or foundation?
  • Foundation is often used to talk about larger or more important things than basis:He laid the foundations of Japan's modern economy. These figures formed the basis of their claim for compensation.
  • groundwork [U] work that is done as preparation for other work that will be done later:Her study laid the groundwork for my research.
  • base [usually sing.] an idea, a fact, or a situation from which something is developed:This work provided us with a strong base upon which to build the company.
Patterns
  • a/the basis/foundation/groundwork/base for something
  • a secure/solid/sound/strong/weak basis/foundation/base
  • to form the basis/foundation/base of something
  • to lay the foundation/groundwork for something
  • to be without basis/foundation
See groundwork in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
Check pronunciation: groundwork

Nearby words