prepare

verb

pre·​pare pri-ˈper 

prepared; preparing

transitive verb

1

a

: to make ready beforehand for some purpose, use, or activity

prepare food for dinner

b

: to put in a proper state of mind

is prepared to listen

2

: to work out the details of : plan in advance

preparing a campaign strategy

3

a

: to put together : compound

prepare a prescription

b

: to put into written form

prepare a report

intransitive verb

: to get ready

preparing for a career

preparer noun

Synonyms

• fit
• fix
• groom
• lay
• prep
• ready

Examples of prepare in a Sentence

The teacher prepared the students for the test.

Your room is being prepared now and should be ready soon.

The nurses prepared the patient for surgery.

Farmers are busy preparing the soil for planting.

They'll be arriving soon. We don't have much more time to prepare.

We don't have much more time to prepare ourselves for their arrival.

She tried to prepare herself for bad news.

The sailors are preparing themselves for a long voyage.

The pharmacist prepared the prescription.

Recent Examples on the Web

Construction crews were excavating the site at 2500 16th St., on Wednesday morning, preparing for a new multi-use building that will combine apartments and retail space. —Hanh Truong, Sacramento Bee, 12 Apr. 2024

But even amid her busy schedule preparing for the annual music festival, the pop star still found the time to release a brand new single and music video today. —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 12 Apr. 2024

As 20 of the NBA’s 30 teams prepare for either the full-fledged playoffs or at least the league’s play-in tournament, the Hornets are on the outside looking in. —Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 11 Apr. 2024

Florida forward Anton Lundell, who scored on a breakaway after receiving a brilliant stretch pass from Stolarz against the Senators, said the Panthers are preparing for an encore postseason performance after reaching the Stanley Cup Final last year. —Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2024

The carousel features images of the Sister, Sister star preparing to film the new show and photos with her two kids, Cree, 12, and Cairo, 5. —Brendan Le, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024

In the review of merger filings, in addition to a notification form, the law requires a company to turn over documents including studies, analyses and reports prepared for the company’s board or executives about a deal. —Leah Nylen, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2024

With hundreds of stores preparing to close, thousands of people in communities that lack access to healthy, affordable food will have one less option. —Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024

Still, the podcast is an important undertaking for Norges Bank, with a team (sometimes including portfolio managers) tasked with preparing for interviews. —Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 11 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English preparen, borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French preparer, borrowed from Latin praeparāre "to furnish beforehand, put in a state of readiness," from prae- pre- + parāre "to supply, provide, make ready" — more at pare

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

prepare

verb

pre·​pare pri-ˈpa(ə)r 

-ˈpe(ə)r

prepared; preparing

1

: to make ready beforehand

prepared us for the news

prepare for a test

2

: to put together the elements of : compound

prepare a prescription

preparer noun

Medical Definition

prepare

transitive verb

pre·​pare pri-ˈpa(ə)r, -ˈpe(ə)r 

prepared; preparing

1

: to make ready beforehand

prepare a patient for surgery

2

: to put together : compound

prepared a vaccine from live virus

prepared the doctor's prescription