PRELIMINARY definition: 1. coming before a more important action or event, especially introducing or preparing for it: 2…. Learn more.

The meaning of PRELIMINARY is coming before and usually forming a necessary prelude to something else. How to use preliminary in a sentence.

pre•lim′i•nar′i•ly, adv. 1. prefatory. Preliminary, introductory both refer to that which comes before the principal subject of consideration.

These adjectives mean going before and preparing the way for something else: a preliminary investigation; introductory remarks; an author's prefatory notes; preparatory steps.

There will be a short briefing about topics to be discussed as a preliminary to the meeting. There were the usual preliminaries before the ceremony.

There are six meanings listed in OED's entry for the word preliminary, one of which is labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

Jul 27, 2025 · preliminary (plural preliminaries) A preparation for a main matter; an introduction. quotations

Find 293 different ways to say PRELIMINARY, along with antonyms, related words, and example sentences at Thesaurus.com.

preliminary definition: happening before and preparing for something important. Check meanings, examples, usage tips, pronunciation, domains, and related words.

preliminary (adj.) "preceding and leading up to something more important," 1660s, from French préliminaire and directly from Medieval Latin praeliminaris, from Latin prae "before" (see pre-) …