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
Synonyms
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
Caitlin Babcock, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 Apr. 2024
According to the preliminary investigation and witnesses, a woman was riding her bicycle northbound on Preston Highway when she was struck by a black pickup truck driving in the same direction, Ellis said.
—The Courier-Journal, 16 Apr. 2024
The court’s decision on Wednesday concerned only Winmill’s preliminary ban on enforcement of the law, which has now been narrowed to exempt only the plaintiffs.
—Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 16 Apr. 2024
At the preliminary stages of the kidnapping investigation, police initially mistook the Chevy Traverse for Davidson’s vehicle, assuming she had been forcibly taken in the other.
—Emily Palmer, Peoplemag, 15 Apr. 2024
An investigation is preliminary, but police said those shot were standing outside at a family gathering when someone shot into the crowd.
—USA TODAY, 14 Apr. 2024
Smith was projected to be a major offensive contributor for the under-20 team but had just three points in the Americans’ first four games in the preliminary round.
—Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2024
After a preliminary hearing in August, a judge ruled that prosecutors presented sufficient evidence to establish probable cause that Lester had committed a crime in the shooting of Yarl.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2024
In preliminary hearings, his lawyers also say there is not enough evidence to warrant the first-degree murder charge.
—Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2024
David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2024
The swimming preliminaries will start at 9 a.m. on Jan. 13 and 14 at Countryside YMCA, Dayton Raider Aquatic Center, Miami University, M.E. Lyons YMCA, Powel Crosley YMCA, Washington Township Rec Center, West Clermont YMCA, Mason, Princeton and Trotwood-Madison.
—Brendan Connelly, The Enquirer, 11 Jan. 2024
Marlon Brown, 8, ran a blistering 200 meters during the preliminaries but was later disqualified for stepping inside his lane.
—Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024
Dossi, aged just 14 at the time, finished in the top 10 during that run, then returned for America’s Got Talent: The Champions, where she was eliminated in the preliminaries.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 21 Sep. 2023
There were some interesting moments in the qualifying preliminaries.
—oregonlive, 6 July 2023
In the meantime, city councilors are expected to fulfill their tasks and responsibilities until the upcoming election, with preliminaries in September.
—Sarah Raza, BostonGlobe.com, 12 July 2023
Winners in the evening gown preliminaries will receive $300 each in scholarship money.
—Mary Colurso | McOlurso@al.com, al, 2 July 2023
Richardson’s performances for the last two seasons had ranged from world-class to not fast enough to advance out of the preliminaries at the U.S. championships.
—Andrew Greif, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2023
Adjective
Last year, the Center for Immigration Studies, which supports tighter border control, gave a preliminary estimate that the number of unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. rose by 2.4 million (to 12.6 million total) in the first 27 months of the Biden presidency.
—Caitlin Babcock, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 Apr. 2024
According to the preliminary investigation and witnesses, a woman was riding her bicycle northbound on Preston Highway when she was struck by a black pickup truck driving in the same direction, Ellis said.
—The Courier-Journal, 16 Apr. 2024
The court’s decision on Wednesday concerned only Winmill’s preliminary ban on enforcement of the law, which has now been narrowed to exempt only the plaintiffs.
—Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 16 Apr. 2024
At the preliminary stages of the kidnapping investigation, police initially mistook the Chevy Traverse for Davidson’s vehicle, assuming she had been forcibly taken in the other.
—Emily Palmer, Peoplemag, 15 Apr. 2024
An investigation is preliminary, but police said those shot were standing outside at a family gathering when someone shot into the crowd.
—USA TODAY, 14 Apr. 2024
Smith was projected to be a major offensive contributor for the under-20 team but had just three points in the Americans’ first four games in the preliminary round.
—Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2024
After a preliminary hearing in August, a judge ruled that prosecutors presented sufficient evidence to establish probable cause that Lester had committed a crime in the shooting of Yarl.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2024
In preliminary hearings, his lawyers also say there is not enough evidence to warrant the first-degree murder charge.
—Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2024
Noun
On the national level, the competition is in four phases: preliminaries, quarterfinals, semifinals and finals.
—David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2024
The swimming preliminaries will start at 9 a.m. on Jan. 13 and 14 at Countryside YMCA, Dayton Raider Aquatic Center, Miami University, M.E. Lyons YMCA, Powel Crosley YMCA, Washington Township Rec Center, West Clermont YMCA, Mason, Princeton and Trotwood-Madison.
—Brendan Connelly, The Enquirer, 11 Jan. 2024
Marlon Brown, 8, ran a blistering 200 meters during the preliminaries but was later disqualified for stepping inside his lane.
—Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024
Dossi, aged just 14 at the time, finished in the top 10 during that run, then returned for America’s Got Talent: The Champions, where she was eliminated in the preliminaries.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 21 Sep. 2023
There were some interesting moments in the qualifying preliminaries.
—oregonlive, 6 July 2023
In the meantime, city councilors are expected to fulfill their tasks and responsibilities until the upcoming election, with preliminaries in September.
—Sarah Raza, BostonGlobe.com, 12 July 2023
Winners in the evening gown preliminaries will receive $300 each in scholarship money.
—Mary Colurso | McOlurso@al.com, al, 2 July 2023
Richardson’s performances for the last two seasons had ranged from world-class to not fast enough to advance out of the preliminaries at the U.S. championships.
—Andrew Greif, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'preliminary.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near preliminary
Cite this Entry
“Preliminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preliminary. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
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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