pretreat

[ pree-treet ]

verb (used with object)

1. to treat in advance or as part of a preliminary treatment:

   to pretreat wood before staining it.

Other Words From

• pre·treatment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pretreat¹

First recorded in 1930–35; pre- + treat

Example Sentences

“Unless they have another source of irrigation water, or a way to pretreat irrigation water, it doesn’t look too good.”

From Seattle Times

The company would make any repairs needed, such as spot-welding parts that separated, and it would pretreat for rust using iron phosphate.

From Washington Post

Be sure to pretreat any stains, Kennedy Watson says, and wash anything with excessive stains in hot water.

From Washington Post

Crews in Virginia are starting to pretreat Interstate 95 and other major roadways in parts of the state on Thursday and Friday in anticipation of a weekend storm that could bring snow and ice to the region.

From Washington Post

Stephen C. Brich, commissioner of the Virginia Department of Transportation, said because the upcoming storm is expected to start as a snow event, crews can pretreat the roadways.

From Washington Post