preliminary

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

Updated on: 26 Apr 2018

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 meet continues Friday and Saturday with preliminaries at 9 a.m. and finals at 5 p.m.

— jeff metcalfe, azcentral, "Allison Schmitt happy with first race in return to competitive swimming," 12 Apr. 2018
Broadnax edged Gilbert in preliminaries (14.14/14.16).

— david hinojosa, San Antonio Express-News, "Athletes look to make big impact at district track meets," 4 Apr. 2018
The Sailors dropped nearly four seconds from preliminaries to touch in 2:10.81, behind only Los Angeles Loyola.

— matt szabo, latimes.com, "Fountain Valley girls’ swimming places third at Capo Valley Relays," 11 Mar. 2018
The Spartans set themselves up to repeat in Friday’s preliminaries.

— aaron lommers, The Seattle Times, "Bainbridge turns tide in 100 breaststroke, repeats as Class 3A state swim champs," 17 Feb. 2018
American Emily Sweeney seemingly was flying down the track during preliminaries, but TV analyst Duncan Kennedy was pointing out subtle flaws halfway through the run that would be costly.

— ed barkowitz, Philly.com, "Chloe Kim to go for Olympic gold Monday night," 12 Feb. 2018
The boys preliminaries start at 12:15 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9, and the girls at 6:15 p.m. Friday.

— james weber, Cincinnati.com, "Regional championships on the line in swimming, wrestling," 9 Feb. 2018
On Saturday, preliminaries for Classes 4A-6A start at 8:30 a.m.; the 6A Division II finals start at 4 p.m.; and the 5A Division I and and 6A Division I finals begin at 6:30 p.m. UIL SPIRIT STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS Friday results CLASS 4A 1.

— darren lauber, star-telegram, "Cheer up: UIL State Spirit Championships continues through Saturday | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 12 Jan. 2018
Set a state record in the backstroke (53.80) during state preliminaries.

— keith dunlap, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Free Press Sports Awards: Meet girls swimming/diving finalists," 3 Jan. 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

Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Richard Frye scheduled a preliminary injunction hearing for May 11 after hearing the lawsuit filed by Ohio Releaf.

— randy tucker, Cincinnati.com, "Ohio judge delays ruling on medical marijuana grower's complaint," 20 Apr. 2018
The preliminary injunction blocking the 2013 law will be in effect until the resolution of the trial in the case, which began in March.

— eli rosenberg, chicagotribune.com, "Kobach helped lead Trump's election panel. A judge just found him in contempt in a voter ID case," 19 Apr. 2018
What's more, Turner moved for a preliminary injunction aimed at stopping Spurlock and Warrior Poets from disbursing funds.

— eriq gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, "Morgan Spurlock Says #MeToo Confession Didn't Breach Deal for TNT Docuseries on Women's Issues," 17 Apr. 2018
In January of last year, a judge issued a preliminary injunction against the city, and in mid-April, Markham and the church agreed to settle the matter out of court.

— mike nolan, Daily Southtown, "Markham church members still without a home," 31 Mar. 2018
But a week from today, Charlotte Repertory will go before Gray to fight for a preliminary injunction, which would protect the play until the lawsuit goes to trial.

— charlotteobserver, "1996: Judge: Let 'Angels' play: Controversial work opens to street protests | Charlotte Observer," 30 Mar. 2018
Snopes won a preliminary injunction that required Proper Media to release ad revenue after deducting certain costs.

— mike freeman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Snopes puts out call for more donations as legal case lingers," 30 Mar. 2018
At least four lawsuits have been filed seeking to overturn the ban, and several courts issued preliminary injunctions while the cases proceed.

— Fortune, "Trump Issues Broad Ban on Transgender People in Military," 24 Mar. 2018
Tempe police reported in their preliminary investigation that the vehicle was traveling at 40 miles per hour.

— meredith broussard, The Atlantic, "Self-Driving Cars Still Don't Know How to See," 20 Mar. 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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