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

Hybrid cloud success depends on both technical expertise and organizational readiness to adopt new ways of working. —Bhupendra Singh, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025

There is also great readiness to improve the shots and the sound. —Billboard Italy, Billboard, 16 May 2025

The facility supports global operations by maintaining readiness for combat and tactical vehicles, including tanks, Humvees, and artillery systems. —Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025

Boys enter kindergarten behind girls, in both their academic readiness and their behavior. —Claire Cain Miller, New York Times, 13 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for readiness

• steadiness
• unsteadiness