Entry Word: preliminary

Function: adjective

Meaning: coming before the main part or item usually to introduce or prepare for what follows <we need to do some preliminary research in order to properly focus the experiment>

Synonyms introductory, preparatory

Related Words introducing, prefacing, preparing, readying; premonitory, warning; basic, fundamental; ahead, early, former, preceding, previous, prior

Near Antonyms after, behind, following, subsequent