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
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
Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Li said Sunday that the parties had brokered a preliminary framework for a trade truce including new provisions regarding China’s export controls and safeguards against the smuggling of fentanyl and its chemical precursors.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 27 Oct. 2025
Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 21 Oct. 2025
In 1988: Greg Louganis won the gold medal in the 3-meter springboard at the Seoul Olympics one day after hitting his head on the diving board during the preliminaries.
—Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preliminary
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Adjective
Usually, the swimsuit competition is a preliminary competition, taking place before the official coronation on the final night of the pageant.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Li said Sunday that the parties had brokered a preliminary framework for a trade truce including new provisions regarding China’s export controls and safeguards against the smuggling of fentanyl and its chemical precursors.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
Santana finished a weak fourth in the preliminary.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 21 Oct. 2025
In 1988: Greg Louganis won the gold medal in the 3-meter springboard at the Seoul Olympics one day after hitting his head on the diving board during the preliminaries.
—Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preliminary
Cite this Entry
“Preliminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preliminary. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
preliminary
1 of 2 noun
pre·lim·i·nary
pri-ˈlim-ə-ˌner-ē
plural preliminaries
: something preliminary
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