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

To work in a compact, low-cost mower, sensors must be smaller, cheaper, and more reliable, with mass-market readiness baked in. —Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 23 Dec. 2025

Along with security guarantees, previous rounds of talks have also highlighted the centrality of territory in negotiations, and Zelensky made no comment in statements overnight on any readiness to discuss possible land swaps. —Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 23 Dec. 2025

Though there might be a snag in her readiness to leave. —Ashley Boucher, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Dec. 2025

Lai last month vowed to build up Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities in the face of growing threats from Beijing, seeking to achieve a high level of combat readiness by 2027. —Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 18 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for readiness

• steadiness
• unsteadiness