pre·lim·i·nary
pri-ˈli-mə-ˌner-ē 
: coming before and usually forming a necessary prelude to something else
preliminary studies
preliminary results
plural preliminaries
: something that precedes or is introductory or preparatory: such as
a
: a preliminary heat or trial (as of a race)
b
: a minor match preceding the main event (as of a boxing card)
c
: a preliminary scholastic examination
d
Examples of preliminary in a Sentence
Adjective
Preliminary findings show that the drug could help patients with skin cancer.
The team was eliminated in the preliminary round of the tournament.
research that is preliminary to the study
Noun
a meeting to discuss seating arrangements that was merely a preliminary to the formal negotiating sessions
Recent Examples on the Web
Nathan Goldman, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
The games, seen as akin to a Jewish Olympics, had been set to open July 8, with preliminary activities beginning earlier in July.
—Philissa Cramer, Sun Sentinel, 17 June 2025
Dan Albano, Oc Register, 8 May 2025
And this month, he was seeded No. 1 in the Division II 50-yard freestyle at CIF and won in the preliminaries before being edged in the finals by 0.05 seconds.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for preliminary
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Adjective
While beneficial for many taxpayers, CNBC reports that the Senate Finance Committee has provided preliminary versions of some items in their version of the bill, including one that would keep the SALT deduction at $10,000.
—Nathan Goldman, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
The games, seen as akin to a Jewish Olympics, had been set to open July 8, with preliminary activities beginning earlier in July.
—Philissa Cramer, Sun Sentinel, 17 June 2025
Noun
Sports High School Sports News See who qualified from Thursday's preliminaries for the CIFSS Division 1 finals on Saturday at Mt. SAC.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 8 May 2025
And this month, he was seeded No. 1 in the Division II 50-yard freestyle at CIF and won in the preliminaries before being edged in the finals by 0.05 seconds.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for preliminary
Cite this Entry
“Preliminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preliminary. Accessed 23 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
preliminary
1 of 2 noun
pre·lim·i·nary
pri-ˈlim-ə-ˌner-ē
plural preliminaries
: something preliminary
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