preparedness

noun

pre·​pared·​ness pri-ˈper-əd-nəs 

also

-ˈperd-nəs 

: the quality or state of being prepared

especially : a state of adequate preparation in case of war

Examples of preparedness in a Sentence

The military is in a state of preparedness.

Recent Examples on the Web

The country uses the funding to improve access to essential services and national health security, including its preparedness for public health emergencies, among other initiatives. —Majirata Latela, The Dial, 13 Jan. 2026

Disaster preparedness was also something that Herrington thought about a lot. —Paige Williams, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026

Policy decisions about vaccines are also decisions about medical education, clinical preparedness, and patient safety. —Krutika Kuppalli, STAT, 12 Jan. 2026

From hundreds of miles above Earth, NISAR is helping scientists here at JPL turn motion into meaning and data into preparedness. —Marina Jurica, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

prepared + -ness

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for preparedness

• unpreparedness

Kids Definition

preparedness

noun

pre·​pared·​ness pri-ˈpar-əd-nəs  -ˈper- 

also -ˈpa(ə)rd-nəs

or -ˈpe(ə)rd-

: the quality or state of being prepared

especially : a state of readiness for war