preselect

American

[pree-si-lekt] / ˌpri sɪˈlɛkt /

verb (used with object)

to select in advance; choose beforehand.

Other Word Forms

preselection noun

Etymology

Origin of preselect

First recorded in 1860–65; pre- + select

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

These accounts should have functions to automatically invest your contributions into funds that you preselect.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 6, 2026

In many instances, a salvage yard will have photographs of their inventory online, so you can preselect before making a trip.

From Seattle Times • May 23, 2023

Jones, a philosophy professor, frequently presents her students with ethical conundrums, such as whether potential parents should preselect embryos with desirable traits.

From Washington Post • Mar. 29, 2022

“Because testing isn’t perfect, we want to preselect donors who have the lowest risks,” said Stramer, one of the lead researchers on the Advance Study.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 6, 2021

In theory, reality shows like “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” preselect ideal candidates.

From New York Times • Apr. 21, 2021

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023