preliminary

[ pri-lim-uh-ner-ee ]

adjective

1. preceding and leading up to the main part, matter, or business; introductory; preparatory:

   preliminary examinations.

   Synonyms: prefatory

noun

, plural pre·lim·i·nar·ies.

1. something preliminary, as an introductory or preparatory step, measure, contest, etc.:

   He passed the preliminary and went on to the finals.

2. a boxing match or other athletic contest that takes place before the main event on the program:

   A preliminary was fought at 8:00.

3. a preliminary examination, as of a candidate for an academic degree.
4. preliminaries, Printing. front matter.

preliminary

/ prɪˈlɪmɪnərɪ /

adjective

1. usually prenominal occurring before or in preparation; introductory

noun

1. a preliminary event or occurrence
2. an eliminating contest held before the main competition

Derived Forms

• preˈliminarily, adverb

Other Words From

• pre·limi·nari·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of preliminary¹

First recorded in 1650–60; from French prélimin(aire) and New Latin praelīmināris ( pre-, liminal ) + -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of preliminary¹

C17: from New Latin praelīmināris, from Latin prae before + līmen threshold

Synonym Study

Preliminary, introductory both refer to that which comes before the principal subject of consideration. That which is preliminary is in the nature of preparation or of clearing away details which would encumber the main subject or problem; it often deals with arrangements and the like, which have to do only incidentally with the principal subject: preliminary negotiations. That which is introductory leads with natural, logical, or close connection directly into the main subject of consideration: introductory steps.

Example Sentences

Under its president, the writer Amin Maalouf, the dictionary committee meets every Thursday morning and after discussion gives its ruling on definitions that have been drawn up in preliminary form by outside experts.

From BBC

His trial is set to be heard at the Old Bailey and a preliminary hearing is listed to take place on 14 March 2025.

From BBC

There will be three fights on the preliminary card starting at 2:30 p.m. and four more fights on the main card starting at 5 p.m., with Paul vs.

From Los Angeles Times

Preliminary estimates for this academic year indicate campuses enrolled an additional 3,000 students, boosting the total number of California undergraduates to more than 206,000, the most in UC history.

From Los Angeles Times

As Philip Bump of the Washington Post points out in this preliminary analysis:

From Salon

Related Words

• exploratory
• preparatory
• prior