1. hard preliminary work that prepares for a main task or project
Usage: often refers to research, planning, or foundational work
2. actual digging or excavation work done with a spade
Usage: literal sense, less common

Examples

• The research team did months of spadework before beginning the clinical trial.
• All the spadework for the new marketing campaign was completed by January.
• The detective’s spadework uncovered crucial evidence in the case.
• Without proper spadework, the project was doomed to fail.
• The gardener finished the spadework and was ready to plant the flowers.
• Her spadework in gathering data made the report writing much easier.