preliminary

1 of 2

adjective

pre·​lim·​i·​nary pri-ˈli-mə-ˌner-ē How to pronounce preliminary (audio)
: coming before and usually forming a necessary prelude to something else
preliminary studies
preliminary results
preliminarily adverb

preliminary

2 of 2

noun

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
preliminaries plural, British : front matter

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
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.
Adjective
The preliminary assessment, released by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, comes 30 days after the fatal crash, following guidelines from the International Civil Aviation Organization, a United Nations agency that recommends practices for the industry. Tribune News Service, New York Daily News, 11 July 2025 The court will hold another hearing soon to decide if a longer preliminary injunction on the LAPD should be imposed. Alexandra Koch , Bill Mears, FOXNews.com, 11 July 2025
Noun
Today's listen Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images The Scripps National Spelling Bee is celebrating its 100th anniversary this week, with preliminaries kicking off last night. Brittney Melton, NPR, 28 May 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for preliminary

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French préliminaires, plural, from Medieval Latin praeliminaris, adjective, preliminary, from Latin prae- pre- + limin-, limen threshold

First Known Use

Adjective

1657, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1656, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of preliminary was in 1656

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Preliminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preliminary. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

preliminary

1 of 2 noun
pre·​lim·​i·​nary pri-ˈlim-ə-ˌner-ē How to pronounce preliminary (audio)
plural preliminaries
: something preliminary

preliminary

2 of 2 adjective
: coming before the main part or item : introductory
preliminarily adverb

Legal Definition

preliminary

adjective
pre·​lim·​i·​nary
pri-ˈli-mə-ˌner-ē
: coming before and usually serving as a temporary or intermediate step to something
preliminary negotiations
a preliminary payment plan
preliminarily adverb
preliminary noun

More from Merriam-Webster on preliminary

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