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
Thomas Ricker, The Verge, 22 Sep. 2023
In August, Border Patrol apprehended roughly 180,000 migrants, according to preliminary agency data.
—Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2023
He is being held without bail and is scheduled to next appear in court on Nov. 7 for a preliminary hearing.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2023
At a preliminary hearing two months after the shooting, Truby testified before a different D.C. Superior Court judge that investigators identified their teenage defendant from security footage that captured the incident.
—Keith L. Alexander, Washington Post, 17 Sep. 2023
Harvey’s role at Babylon was to get the go-ahead from regulators that the app could be used to triage patients—a preliminary assessment that ascertains how urgently a patient needs to be seen by a doctor.
—WIRED, 19 Sep. 2023
One possible factor, according to preliminary research, may be a decline in sleep quality and duration among the general population.
—Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 18 Sep. 2023
CalPERS announced preliminary returns of 5.8% for the fiscal 2022-2023 year in July—below its annual target of roughly 7%.
—Anne Sraders, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2023
Late last week, news outlets including The Times reported that Disney has received preliminary interest from potential buyers, including Nexstar.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2023
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
The Miss Alabama competition is nearing its conclusion, with three nights of preliminaries completed before Saturday’s finale.
—Mary Colurso | McOlurso@al.com, al, 30 June 2023
Harrison competed in Thursday’s preliminaries of the senior 1,500, finishing fifth in his heat.
—oregonlive, 7 July 2023
Scores received in the preliminaries were used to create a composite score that was considered by the judges on Saturday, and weighted as 30 percent of each contestant’s score in the finals.
—Mary Colurso | McOlurso@al.com, al, 2 July 2023
Enter Email Sign Up Dressel finished 29th in the preliminaries of his first event at nationals, the 100 free.
—Paul Newberry, BostonGlobe.com, 28 June 2023
Prince wasn't able to break her state record of 13.59 at the AIA state high school Open championships in May at Mesa Community College due to a false start in preliminaries.
—Richard Obert, The Arizona Republic, 14 June 2023
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Adjective
This is just a preliminary decision, ahead of final approval.
—Thomas Ricker, The Verge, 22 Sep. 2023
In August, Border Patrol apprehended roughly 180,000 migrants, according to preliminary agency data.
—Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2023
He is being held without bail and is scheduled to next appear in court on Nov. 7 for a preliminary hearing.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2023
At a preliminary hearing two months after the shooting, Truby testified before a different D.C. Superior Court judge that investigators identified their teenage defendant from security footage that captured the incident.
—Keith L. Alexander, Washington Post, 17 Sep. 2023
Harvey’s role at Babylon was to get the go-ahead from regulators that the app could be used to triage patients—a preliminary assessment that ascertains how urgently a patient needs to be seen by a doctor.
—WIRED, 19 Sep. 2023
One possible factor, according to preliminary research, may be a decline in sleep quality and duration among the general population.
—Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 18 Sep. 2023
CalPERS announced preliminary returns of 5.8% for the fiscal 2022-2023 year in July—below its annual target of roughly 7%.
—Anne Sraders, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2023
Late last week, news outlets including The Times reported that Disney has received preliminary interest from potential buyers, including Nexstar.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2023
Noun
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
The Miss Alabama competition is nearing its conclusion, with three nights of preliminaries completed before Saturday’s finale.
—Mary Colurso | McOlurso@al.com, al, 30 June 2023
Harrison competed in Thursday’s preliminaries of the senior 1,500, finishing fifth in his heat.
—oregonlive, 7 July 2023
Scores received in the preliminaries were used to create a composite score that was considered by the judges on Saturday, and weighted as 30 percent of each contestant’s score in the finals.
—Mary Colurso | McOlurso@al.com, al, 2 July 2023
Enter Email Sign Up Dressel finished 29th in the preliminaries of his first event at nationals, the 100 free.
—Paul Newberry, BostonGlobe.com, 28 June 2023
Prince wasn't able to break her state record of 13.59 at the AIA state high school Open championships in May at Mesa Community College due to a false start in preliminaries.
—Richard Obert, The Arizona Republic, 14 June 2023
See More
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.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near preliminary
Cite this Entry
“Preliminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preliminary. Accessed 3 Oct. 2023.
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Kids Definition
preliminary
1 of 2 noun
pre·lim·i·nary
pri-ˈlim-ə-ˌner-ē
plural preliminaries
: something preliminary
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
Nglish: Translation of preliminary for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of preliminary for Arabic Speakers
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