✨📕 The NEWThe NEW Collegiate Dictionary, 12th Edition Over 5,000 words added — Buy Now! Collegiate DictionaryBuy Now!

prelim

noun or adjective

pre·​lim ˈprē-ˌlim How to pronounce prelim (audio)
pri-ˈlim
Synonyms of prelimnext

Examples of prelim in a Sentence

a medical assistant had done all of the prelim work before the physician even walked into the examining room
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But first, fans will want to tune in for a four-fight prelim card that features no fewer than three lightweight bouts that promise to heavily impact the division. Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2025 Beckman’s Mason Nguyen, a senior, and junior Ryan Barris finished second and third respectively in their heat in last week’s prelims. Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 20 Nov. 2025 Which Kentucky bands competed in BOA Grand Nationals prelims? Jenny Porter Tilley, Louisville Courier Journal, 17 Nov. 2025 Stillwater shows out in relay Stillwater set the tone for the Class 2A state prelims as its youthful 200 medley relay finished ahead of the pack. Andrew Cornelius, Twin Cities, 15 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prelim

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prelim was in 1891

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prelim.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prelim. Accessed 10 Dec. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!