spadework

American  

[speyd-wurk] / ˈspeɪdˌwɜrk /

noun

1. preliminary or initial work, such as the gathering of data, on which further activity is to be based.

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spadework British  

/ ˈspeɪdˌwɜːk /

noun

1. dull or routine preparatory work

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Etymology

Origin of spadework

First recorded in 1770–80; spade ¹ + work

Example Sentences

The more ambitious plan could take years and billions of dollars of investment, as well as significant diplomatic spadework with wealthy foreign countries and international financial institutions to right-size Venezuela’s economy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 4, 2026

But Avlon was impressed by devotion to some of the basic spadework of political journalism at a time when flash and celebrity were a big part of the game.

From Slate • Nov. 1, 2024

The rationale was that this laborious spadework brought loamy topsoil down to subsoil level to promote deep rooting, relieved soil compaction and allowed the gardener to improve both sandy and clay soils by adding compost.

From Washington Post • Jul. 13, 2021

Progress is still possible in places where the spadework has largely been done, such as for the hydrogen demonstration network at Teesside in the United Kingdom.

From Nature • Jun. 8, 2020

Moreover, the spadework had tom open his blistered hand again.

From "A Single Shard" by Linda Sue Park