precondition

[ pree-kuhn-dish-uhn ]

noun

1. something that must come before or is necessary to a subsequent result; condition:

   a precondition for a promotion.

verb (used with object)

1. to subject (a person or thing) to a special treatment in preparation for a subsequent experience, process, test, etc.:

   to precondition a surface to receive paint.

precondition

/ ˌpriːkənˈdɪʃən /

noun

1. a necessary or required condition; prerequisite

verb

1. tr psychol to present successively two stimuli to (an organism) without reinforcement so that they become associated; if a response is then conditioned to the second stimulus on its own, the same response will be evoked by the first stimulus

Word History and Origins

Origin of precondition¹

First recorded in 1910–15; pre- + condition

Example Sentences

As Medvedev documented, the precondition for destroying public confidence in science is to demean and demonize scientists — as “enemies of the people,” as saboteurs and grifters.

From Los Angeles Times

The following month, the Kremlin leader announced imminent changes to the Russian nuclear doctrine, the document setting out the preconditions under which Moscow might decide to use a nuclear weapon.

From BBC

Rather than worrying about what Trump might do in office, they said, “a precondition for Trump to take European defence seriously is for Europe to take its own defence seriously.”

From BBC

In key remarks on Wednesday night, the Russian president said his government was considering changing the rules and preconditions around which Russia would use its nuclear arsenal.

From BBC

He argued that the RSF should first evacuate its forces from civilian neighbourhoods - essentially demanding their withdrawal from the territories they had captured - as a precondition for talking.

From BBC

Related Words

• arrangement
• essential
• necessity
• prerequisite
• provision
• qualification
• requirement
• requisite
• stipulation