readiness

noun

read·​i·​ness ˈre-dē-nəs 

: the quality or state of being ready: such as

a

: a state of preparation

As Apollo approached readiness, a new system for validating flight hardware came into use.

—William Hines

… conditions that prevented all regiments being brought to battle readiness simultaneously …

—Graham A. Cosmas

Pym presented himself at the entrance to the school drive in readiness for Mr. Cudlove's arrival.

—John le Carré

b

: prompt willingness

Kostunica has already expressed his readiness to talk with independence-minded leaders in Montenegro …

—Joshua Hammer et al.

Civil War reportage owed its successes also to the readiness of the military to accept photography as a new visual tool …

—Naomi Rosenblum

c

: ease, facility

The introduction was followed up on his side by a happy readiness of conversation …

—Jane Austen

Examples of readiness in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The wing also made mental health counseling, chapel, crisis intervention, and military and family readiness resources available to its community following Watson’s death. —Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2026

Engineering readiness factors have caused much of this delay. —Margaret Landis, The Conversation, 18 June 2026

Indianapolis weather radar Households should prepare for severe weather by having a disaster readiness plan, the Metropolitan Emergency Services Agency says. —John Tufts, IndyStar, 18 June 2026

The Department remains committed to the health and readiness of our warfighters and civilian personnel. —Luis Martinez, ABC News, 18 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for readiness

• steadiness
• unsteadiness