/ˈɡraʊndˌwɜːk/
[U] ~ (for sth)work that is done as preparation for other work that will be done later 基础工作；准备工作
Officials are laying the groundwork for a summit conference of world leaders.
官员们正在为世界首脑峰会做准备工作。
His speech laid the groundwork for independence.
他的演说为独立打下了基础。
Much of the groundwork has already been done .
准备工作差不多已经完成。