Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun A foundation; a basis. synonym: base.
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun That which forms the foundation of something; the foundation or basis; the fundamental part, principle, or motive: used of both material and immaterial things.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- noun That which forms the foundation or support of anything; the basis; the essential or fundamental part; first principle.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun The
foundation ; thebasic orfundamental parts that support or allow for the rest.
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun lowest support of a structure
- noun preliminary preparation as a basis or foundation
- noun the fundamental assumptions from which something is begun or developed or calculated or explained
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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Yes, it needs a bit of time to work out the kinks but I think the groundwork is there for an interesting show that is completely different from Grey's.
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In a sense, this involves laying a certain groundwork that helps him deal with a variety of difficulties when they arise.
Q & A with Dr. Howard C. Cutler, co-author of The Art of Happiness 2010
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Although some questions have yet to be answered, enough groundwork is laid out to postpone any frustration that comes with not knowing.
REVIEW: Godkiller: Walk Among Us (Episode #2) directed by Matt Pizzolo 2010
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No doubt that groundwork is being laid for this year and, God forbid, in the event of an Obama re-election. spainishirish
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The bilateral meeting between the leaders took place at a summit in Chile where the groundwork is being laid for next week's crunch G20 meeting in London.
How long before the Falklands are handed over to the Argentinians Not a sheep 2009
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But maybe, let's turn a glance at our own American history with a renewed respect for those marvelous losers, Teddy Roosevelt, Gene Debs, William Jennings Bryan and Upton Sinclair, whose failed campaigns lay long-term groundwork for progressive victories.
Clancy Sigal: A Disappointed Democrat? You bet Clancy Sigal 2010
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•Outlook: The groundwork is in place for a playoff team.
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But maybe, let's turn a glance at our own American history with a renewed respect for those marvelous losers, Teddy Roosevelt, Gene Debs, William Jennings Bryan and Upton Sinclair, whose failed campaigns lay long-term groundwork for progressive victories.
Clancy Sigal: A Disappointed Democrat? You bet Clancy Sigal 2010
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But maybe, let's turn a glance at our own American history with a renewed respect for those marvelous losers, Teddy Roosevelt, Gene Debs, William Jennings Bryan and Upton Sinclair, whose failed campaigns lay long-term groundwork for progressive victories.
Clancy Sigal: A Disappointed Democrat? You bet Clancy Sigal 2010
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This does not mean that genuine fascism has arrived as a real political force in America; but it does mean the groundwork is being created for just such a nightmare, by irresponsible politicians tapping into terrible forces beyond their ability to control.
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