preliminary

noun

pre·lim·i·nary | \ pri-ˈli-mə-ˌner-ē

plural preliminaries

Definition of preliminary

(Entry 1 of 2)

: 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)

preliminary

adjective

Definition of preliminary (Entry 2 of 2)

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

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Examples of preliminary in a Sentence

Noun

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

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

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

If the Ducks’ 4x400 gets through Thursday’s preliminaries instead of unfortunately being disqualified after a problematic baton exchange, Oregon probably would be bringing NCAA hardware home to Eugene. — oregonlive.com, "All in all, a good season for the UO women; big names in action tonight at L&C: Oregon track & field rundown," 9 June 2019 Look for a full photo gallery of Friday’s preliminary later on AL.com. — Mary Colurso | Mcolurso@al.com, al.com, "Miss Alabama 2019: Talent, evening wear winners of Friday’s preliminary," 7 June 2019 Now, Holloway and Roberts will compete for the NCAA title and chase history during Wednesday’s preliminaries and Friday’s finals in the 110 hurdles. — Edgar Thompson, orlandosentinel.com, "UF track star Grant Holloway vies for national titles for himself and Gators," 4 June 2019 The Sunset League preliminaries are scheduled for May 2 at Golden West College, with the finals set for May 4. — Matt Szabo, latimes.com, "Newport Harbor boys' swimming again steps up against Los Alamitos," 25 Apr. 2018 York alumnus Matt Plowman, a Michigan junior, finished 22nd in the 800-meter preliminaries, while Niles North alumnus and graduate student Micah Beller tallied a 14th-place finish in the 5,000 meters. — Sam Brief, chicagotribune.com, "College notes: Locals guide Lake Forest College men's golf to conference title," 16 May 2018 Having never surpassed the divisional preliminaries in his career, Magula competed in his first state meet. — Andrew Turner, latimes.com, "Local duo capped deep CIF track and field run with medal-winning performances," 8 June 2018 The infected toe did not respond well to the preliminaries. — Roy Bragg, San Antonio Express-News, "UIW’s Newman lost toe, wins matches," 20 Mar. 2018 The third and final preliminaries will be held Friday. — Fox News, "Miss America contestant advances after response to NFL protest," 7 Sep. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Circuit Judge Michael Stelzer granted Planned Parenthood’s request for a preliminary injunction, which extends his earlier order to temporarily block the state from allowing the St. Louis facility’s license to lapse. — Washington Post, "Judge says Missouri’s only abortion clinic can remain open," 10 June 2019 Circuit Judge Michael Stelzer granted Planned Parenthood's request for a preliminary injunction, which extends his temporary restraining order prohibiting Missouri from allowing the St. Louis clinic's license to lapse. — Fox News, "Missouri's only abortion clinic can remain open for now, judge rules," 10 June 2019 Circuit Judge Michael Stelzer granted Planned Parenthood's request for a preliminary injunction, which extends his earlier order to temporarily block the state from allowing the St. Louis facility's license to lapse. — Summer Ballentine And Jim Salter, chicagotribune.com, "Judge says Missouri's only abortion clinic can remain open for now," 10 June 2019 Circuit Jude Michael Stelzer granted Planned Parenthood's request for a preliminary injunction, which extends his earlier order to temporarily block the state from allowing the St. Louis facility's license to lapse. — NBC News, "Missouri must decide fate of its last abortion clinic by June 21, judge rules," 10 June 2019 Arguments will continue Wednesday morning when Stelzer will hear both sides on whether to grant a preliminary injunction that would let Planned Parenthood provide services while the legal battle over the license renewal continues. — Holly Yan, CNN, "A judge could soon decide whether Missouri will be the first state without abortion clinics," 4 June 2019 Earlier today, a federal judge in New York declined to issue a preliminary injunction to block the subpoenas. — ProPublica, "Why Did Deutsche Bank Keep Lending to Donald Trump? — “Trump, Inc.” Podcast," 22 May 2019 The department has sought a ruling on the motion for a preliminary injunction by Feb. 25. — Leslie Brody, WSJ, "De Blasio Lawyers Say Change for Elite Schools Isn’t Biased Against Asian-Americans," 18 Jan. 2019 However, the rules were blocked in both California and Pennsylvania federal courts via preliminary injunctions that December. — Sarah Jacoby, SELF, "A Federal Judge Blocked the Trump Administration's New Birth Control Rules in 13 States and D.C.," 14 Jan. 2019

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.