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

preliminaries 

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. Printing.,  preliminaries, 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

Other Word Forms

• preliminarily 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

Among the examples of Monguia’s misconduct reviewed by the panel included a November 2022 preliminary hearing of a man accused of assaulting a security guard.

From Los Angeles Times

Newsom filed a preliminary injunction after the ruling asking that the court block a new order from the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

Under the ruling, the parents who sued were entitled to a preliminary injunction that would require schools to “notify them in advance” when one of the disputed storybooks would be used in their child’s class.

From Los Angeles Times

In its presentation to Anaheim, Swyft Cities said the next step would be for the city to commission a “detailed analysis, preliminary engineering, and implementation strategy.”

From Los Angeles Times

Jabril Metoyer appeared for a preliminary court hearing Thursday on charges related to two separate shootings that left three people injured in December in downtown Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• exploratory 
• preparatory 
• prior