preliminary

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

|Updated on: 18 Jun 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

The Houston preliminary is free and open to the public but RSVPs are encouraged at the site or by emailing Korea.RSVP@gmail.com.

— joey guerra, Houston Chronicle, "Houston is looking for the next K-pop star," 12 June 2018
Like Miss America, the Miss USA pageant has historically featured swimsuit and evening gown presentations, along with an onstage interview question and a longer interview during preliminaries.

— carlie kollath wells, NOLA.com, "Miss America to end swimsuit competition. Here's why.," 5 June 2018
Meyer earned the state-meet record with his throw of 68 feet, 8 inches from Friday’s preliminaries, which carried over for the win.

— steve soucie, Daily Southtown, "Meyer and more: Lockport's John Meyer wins state title in shot put as Southland brings home hardware," 27 May 2018
FitzGerald hopes to continue his late-season surge in Friday's preliminaries in the 1,600 at 5:48 p.m. FitzGerald will compete alongside Pacific League, CIF Southern Section Division I and CIF Masters Meet champion Jagdeep Chahal of Burroughs.

— andrew j. campa, latimes.com, "State track meet awaits for final four local standouts," 30 May 2018
The Gators are in Tampa Thursday-Saturday for NCAA East preliminaries.

— edgar thompson, OrlandoSentinel.com, "UF track coach Mike Holloway signs 10-year contract extension," 23 May 2018
Individuals rather than schools qualify for the CIF Division II swim preliminaries that will take place May 10 at Granite Hills High School.

— joe naiman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Webster, 200 freestyle relay team win Valley League swim titles," 6 May 2018
Running preliminaries are Friday and finals on Saturday.

— david hinojosa, San Antonio Express-News, "Gilbert, Broadnax push each other to be among the nation’s best," 26 Apr. 2018
Based on sectional times, the 400 relay of sophomores Nia Wood and Monalaya Hunt, freshman Savannah Ming and junior Dajour Miles ranks fourth heading in to the state preliminaries.

— rick armstrong, Aurora Beacon-News, "Girls track notes: West Aurora's young relays get boost from 'special' runner in Savannah Ming," 15 May 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

The companies said the negotiations are preliminary and that no deal has been reached.

— katherine blunt, Houston Chronicle, "LyondellBasell in talks to acquire Braskem," 15 June 2018
For these reasons, this study should be considered preliminary and needs to be corroborated by much more research.

— darby saxbe, Scientific American, "Living with Neighborhood Violence May Shape Teens’ Brains," 15 June 2018
But the results, while preliminary and only in a limited number of people, are an important first step in identifying natural killer cells as a possible new target in fighting flu.

— alice park, Time, "A Better Flu Shot May Be On the Horizon. Here's Why," 14 June 2018
Unable to post bail, Guzman-Garcia was being held Thursday at the Chester County Correctional Facility awaiting a June 22 preliminary hearing.

— erin mccarthy, Philly.com, "Girl, 4, abducted from Chesco home and assaulted by stranger," 14 June 2018
In early April, the Trump administration outlined a preliminary list of roughly $50 billion in Chinese products that would be subject to 25 percent tariffs — including televisions, medical devices, aircraft parts and batteries.

— alan rappeport, New York Times, "Trump Expected to List China Tariffs, Potentially Reigniting Trade War," 14 June 2018
While Trump and Putin have met before on the sidelines of global forums, the preliminary discussions of a one-on-one summit are shining a new light on the complicated relationship between the leaders.

— jeff zeleny, zachary cohen and michelle kosinski, CNN, "US and Russia 'exploring' possible Trump-Putin meeting," 14 June 2018
Some products were taken off the preliminary list but none were added, said one of the people familiar with the decision, who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the action before its announcement.

— justin sink, Bloomberg.com, "Trump Approves Tariffs on $50 Billion of Chinese Goods," 14 June 2018
Williams said his agents have had preliminary discussions with the Panthers about a contract extension.

— joseph person, charlotteobserver, "Next Panthers lineman set to get high-dollar, long-term deal? He's focused on vacation," 14 June 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

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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

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