Pronunciations
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/ˈɡɹaʊndˌwɜːɹk/
Noun
The foundation; the basic or fundamental parts that support or allow for the rest.
Usage- Countable
- Uncountable
- Examples
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The discovery of the laws of electricity laid the groundwork for a century of innovation.
More examples (3)
This outline programme was compiled by a working party consisting of members from the Regional Planning Office, the civil, mechanical and electrical, and signal engineering departments and the traffic services, on the basis of much groundwork done within each of these departments.
Oft-derided, even in its 2002 heyday, no one expected electroclash to last. But, just as sonic heirs such as La Roux or Little Boots capitalise on their groundwork, the old electro guard return with works of real solidity and depth.
Caine was pretty rough around the edges, though. I wasn't quite on Scratch's level of thinking outside the box, but it was good groundwork for something the rest of the team could wrap their heads around.
Noun
the fundamental assumptions from which something is begun or developed or calculated or explained
- Broader terms
- Examples
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the whole argument rested on a basis of conjecture
lowest support of a structure
- Broader terms
- Examples
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it was built on a base of solid rock
he stood at the foot of the tower
preliminary preparation as a basis or foundation
- Broader terms
- Examples
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we are prepared today because of groundwork that was done ten years ago