mid-15c., "foundation of a building or wall, solid base on which a structure is built," from ground (n.) + work (n.) in the older sense. Similar formation in Middle Dutch grontwerck, Dutch grondwerk, German grundwerk. Of immaterial things from 1550s.
权威例句
1. Diplomats meeting in Chile have laid the groundwork for far-reaching environmental regulations.
在智利会面的外交官们已经为那些对未来影响深远的环境保护条例的制定打好了基础。
2. Yesterday's meeting was to lay the groundwork for the task ahead.
昨天的会议是为以后的工作做准备。
3. These courses provide the groundwork of statistical theory.
这些课程介绍的是统计学理论的基础。
4. 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。
5. The first meeting laid the groundwork for the final agreement.