preliminary

noun pre·lim·i·nary \ pri-ˈli-mə-ˌner-ē \

|Updated on: 13 Aug 2018

Examples: preliminary in a Sentence

Definition of preliminary

plural preliminaries

: something that precedes or is introductory or preparatory: such as

a : a preliminary scholastic examination

b preliminaries plural, British : front matter

c : a preliminary heat or trial (as of a race)

d : a minor match preceding the main event (as of a boxing card)

See preliminary defined for English-language learners

See preliminary defined for kids

Examples of preliminary in a Sentence

a meeting to discuss seating arrangements that was merely a preliminary to the formal negotiating sessions

Recent Examples of preliminary from the Web

Both have reached the mark this season, Wiseman at the Beach Cities Invitational and the Division 1 preliminaries, and Garnett at a Sunset League tri-meet against Newport Harbor and Los Alamitos.

— matt szabo, latimes.com, "7 local track and field athletes headed to CIF Southern Section Masters meet," 25 May 2018
After a disqualification in the 100-meter preliminaries, Milwaukee King’s Amari Brown remained cool and collected in winning the 200 meters with ease, crossing in 24.65 seconds.

— jr radcliffe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Here are the teams and athletes from Milwaukee area who won state titles in 2017-18," 20 June 2018
His sectional leap of 43-5 placed him 11th, but Augustyn made sure his state final result would surpass that through his solid showing on Friday in the state preliminaries.

— bob narang, chicagotribune.com, "Boys track notes: OPRF confident after juniors place at state," 29 May 2018
The 10 contestants who come from city or regional preliminaries include: Miss Gay Copper City Claudia B and first alternate Anya C. Mann.

— garrett mitchell, azcentral, "Miss Gay Arizona pageant lauds the best drag performers," 11 June 2018
Michigan state track and field finals When: Saturday Running event preliminaries: 10 a.m.; finals 1 p.m.; Field events at 9:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.

— wright wilson, Detroit Free Press, "What to watch for at the track and field state championships," 31 May 2018
The league meet consisted of swim preliminaries May 2 and diving May 3 as well as the swim finals May 4.

— joe naiman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Webster, 200 freestyle relay team win Valley League swim titles," 6 May 2018
Broadnax finished ahead of Gilbert in the 110 hurdles preliminaries at last month’s Texas Relays.

— david hinojosa, San Antonio Express-News, "Gilbert, Broadnax push each other to be among the nation’s best," 26 Apr. 2018
Riehs was in a three-way tie for 10th place during Friday's preliminaries of the girls gymnastics state meet, earning the final spot in Saturday's finals at Palatine.

— c.r. walker, chicagotribune.com, "Dream weaver: Jane Riehs delivers runner-up finish as freshman for Neuqua Valley," 20 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'preliminary.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of preliminary

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1656

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

preliminary Synonyms

Synonyms

curtain-raiser, overture, preamble, prelude, prologue (also prolog);

Related Words

lead-in;

kickoff, start;

preliminary

adjective

Definition of preliminary

: coming before and usually forming a necessary prelude to something else

preliminary studies

preliminary results

—

preliminarily

play \pri-ˌli-mə-ˈner-ə-lē\ adverb

See preliminary defined for English-language learners

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

Recent Examples of preliminary from the Web

City officials want to demolish and replace the nearly 70-year-old market building, but the projects remains in the preliminary design phase.

— brittany britto, baltimoresun.com, "Lexington Market reopens after rat incident as customers seek pastry favorites," 14 July 2018
The preliminary agreement for McDonald’s Plaza, which is contingent on Hines receiving zoning approval, comes about a month after McDonald’s relocated its headquarters to Chicago’s Fulton Market district.

— ryan ori, chicagotribune.com, "McDonald's Plaza in Oak Brook to be demolished, redeveloped under buyer's plan," 13 July 2018
Accompanying the exhibit are two large-scale paintings from the museum’s collection, as well as preliminary sketches that reveal his working process.

— carolina a. miranda, latimes.com, "Datebook: Shots of old Route 66, dreamlike paintings and garments fashioned from paper," 12 July 2018
Overall, Gartner said, preliminary data showed world-wide PC shipments totaled 62.1 million units in the second quarter, up 1.4% from the year earlier.

— maria armental, WSJ, "PC Shipments Have Strongest Quarter in Six Years," 12 July 2018
Boeing announced a preliminary agreement last week to form a $4.75 billion venture with Embraer that will control the Brazilian manufacturer’s commercial airplane and services business.

— christopher jasper, The Seattle Times, "JetBlue places big order for newest Airbus A220 jet," 10 July 2018
Under a preliminary deal, Boeing will own 80 percent of a partnership controlling Embraer’s commercial airplane and services businesses while the Brazilian manufacturer holds 20 percent, the companies said in a statement Thursday.

— Fortune, "Boeing and Embraer Are Forming a $4.75 Billion Commercial Jet Venture," 5 July 2018
While the official kickoff isn't for another couple of weeks, Amazon is building up to the big day with some preliminary deals.

— ian paul, PCWorld, "Amazon Prime Day Deals start now: Save on Echo Show, movies, Twitch, and more," 3 July 2018
During a post-accident inspection, engineers found evidence of previous derailments on the nearly 40-year-old coaster, including one that appeared to have taken place after it was refurbished in 2013, officials said in a preliminary report.

— michael williams, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Daytona Beach roller coaster derailed due to excessive speed, operator error, investigation finds," 11 July 2018

First Known Use of preliminary

1657

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

preliminary Synonyms

Synonyms

beginning, introductory, precursory, prefatory, prelim, preparatory, primary;

Near Antonyms

following, subsequent;

premonitory, warning;

basic, elementary, fundamental;

PRELIMINARY Defined for English Language Learners

preliminary

noun

Definition of preliminary for English Language Learners

: something that comes first in order to prepare for or introduce the main part of something else
: 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

adjective

Definition of preliminary for English Language Learners

: coming before the main part of something

PRELIMINARY Defined for Kids

preliminary

noun pre·lim·i·nary \ pri-ˈli-mə-ˌner-ē \

Definition of preliminary for Students

plural preliminaries

: something that comes before the main or final part

The athletes competed in the preliminaries.

preliminary

adjective

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

adjective pre·lim·i·nary \ pri-ˈli-mə-ˌner-ē \

legal Definition of preliminary

: coming before and usually serving as a temporary or intermediate step to something

preliminary negotiations

a preliminary payment plan

—

preliminarily

adverb

—

preliminary

noun

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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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preliminary

Definition of preliminary

Examples of preliminary in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of preliminary

preliminary Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

preliminary

Definition of preliminary

preliminarily

Examples of preliminary in a Sentence

Recent Examples of preliminary from the Web

First Known Use of preliminary

preliminary Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

PRELIMINARY Defined for English Language Learners

preliminary

Definition of preliminary for English Language Learners

preliminary

Definition of preliminary for English Language Learners

PRELIMINARY Defined for Kids

preliminary

Definition of preliminary for Students

preliminary

Definition of preliminary for Students

Law Dictionary

preliminary

legal Definition of preliminary

preliminarily

preliminary

Learn More about preliminary

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