Definition of preliminary
preliminaries
: something that precedes or is introductory or preparatory: such asa : a preliminary scholastic examinationb preliminaries plural, British : front matterc : a preliminary heat or trial (as of a race)d : a minor match preceding the main event (as of a boxing card)
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Examples of preliminary in a Sentence
a meeting to discuss seating arrangements that was merely a preliminary to the formal negotiating sessions
Origin and Etymology of preliminary
French préliminaires, plural, from Medieval Latin praeliminaris, adjective, preliminary, from Latin prae- pre- + limin-, limen threshold
preliminary
Definition of preliminary
: coming before and usually forming a necessary prelude to something else preliminary studies preliminary results
Examples of preliminary in a Sentence
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
First Known Use of preliminary
1657
PRELIMINARY Defined for English Language Learners
preliminary
playDefinition of preliminary for English Language Learners
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: something that comes first in order to prepare for or introduce the main part of something else
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: a game that is played before the main part of a competition to decide which players or teams will be allowed to continue playing
preliminary
Definition of preliminary for English Language Learners
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: coming before the main part of something
PRELIMINARY Defined for Kids
Definition of preliminary for Students
preliminaries
: something that comes before the main or final part The athletes competed in the preliminaries.
Definition of preliminary for Students
: coming before the main or full part I won the preliminary round. The preliminary results are promising.
Law Dictionary
preliminary
Legal Definition of preliminary
: coming before and usually serving as a temporary or intermediate step to something preliminary negotiations a preliminary payment plan
preliminarily
adverbpreliminary
nounLearn More about preliminary
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See words that rhyme with preliminary Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for preliminary Spanish Central: Translation of preliminary Nglish: Translation of preliminary for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of preliminary for Arabic speakers
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