preparation

noun

prep·​a·​ra·​tion ˌpre-pə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: the action or process of making something ready for use or service or of getting ready for some occasion, test, or duty

2

: a state of being prepared

3

: a preparatory act or measure

4

: something that is prepared

specifically : a medicinal substance made ready for use

Examples of preparation in a Sentence

The festival involves a lot of preparation.

To complete this recipe, plan on about 30 minutes of preparation and 40 minutes of baking.

Recent Examples on the Web

But several Sci-Fi World volunteers past and present told The Times that Huddleston remains active — if not central — in museum operations and preparations for opening. —Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2024

Advertisement Zoo officials have repeatedly declined requests to share details about their panda preparations. —Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2024

But the arduous preparations and the harsh reception Justice Alito encountered in Congress left a bitter memory that Mrs. Alito would recall publicly for years afterward, denouncing the proceedings and the media coverage around it. —Zach Montague, New York Times, 29 May 2024

The star, who won Best Actress at the 2016 Oscars for her performance, underwent six months of preparation for the part, staying out of the sun for months and gaining 15 lbs. —Kirsty Hatcher, Peoplemag, 29 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English preparacioun, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French preparacion, borrowed from Latin praeparātiōn-, praeparātiō, from praeparāre "to prepare" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing preparation

• in preparation
• in preparation for

Kids Definition

preparation

noun

prep·​a·​ra·​tion ˌprep-ə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: the action or process of making ready in advance

2

: a state of being prepared : readiness

3

: an act or measure that prepares

busy with preparations for the picnic

4

: something prepared

a medicinal preparation

Medical Definition

preparation

noun

prep·​a·​ra·​tion ˌprep-ə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: the action or process of preparing

2

: something that is prepared

specifically : a medicinal substance made ready for use

a preparation for colds