preliminary

1 of 2

adjective

pre·​lim·​i·​nary pri-ˈli-mə-ˌner-ē How to pronounce preliminary (audio)
: coming before and usually forming a necessary prelude to something else
preliminary studies
preliminary results
preliminarily adverb

preliminary

2 of 2

noun

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
preliminaries plural, British : front matter

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
Adjective
The parties are now waiting for French financial regulators to say if the consortium can unilaterally waive the independent expert’s report and whether WMG’s preliminary proposal prevents the waiver of the board’s condition. Glenn Peoples, Billboard, 13 Mar. 2024 Her allegations of plagiarism led an Iranian court to open preliminary trial proceedings in March 2022. Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 13 Mar. 2024 Everyone opted for a traditional massage, which required a preliminary consultation. Brenda Stolyar, WIRED, 13 Mar. 2024 The numbers in the preliminary report by the Maricopa County Department of Public Health alarmed officials in America's hottest big metro, raising concerns about how to better protect vulnerable groups such as homeless people and older adults from the blistering summer heat. Anita Snow, The Arizona Republic, 13 Mar. 2024 Their case is being discussed in the preliminary chamber stages, AP reported, a process in which the defendants can challenge prosecutors’ evidence. Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2024 Last week, the National Transportation Safety Board issued a preliminary report into an incident in which a United Airlines 737 Max experienced a stuck rudder pedal. Lori Aratani, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2024 According to a preliminary report, air traffic control lost contact with the Batik Air Airbus A320 90 minutes into its flight while at a cruising altitude of 36,000 feet. Ryan Erik King / Jalopnik, Quartz, 12 Mar. 2024 Police officials have said in a statement that Nex’s death was not the result of injuries from a fight, adding that the findings were preliminary and investigations by the medical examiner's office and the police department remain under way. USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2024
Noun
The swimming preliminaries will start at 9 a.m. on Jan. 13 and 14 at Countryside YMCA, Dayton Raider Aquatic Center, Miami University, M.E. Lyons YMCA, Powel Crosley YMCA, Washington Township Rec Center, West Clermont YMCA, Mason, Princeton and Trotwood-Madison. Brendan Connelly, The Enquirer, 11 Jan. 2024 Marlon Brown, 8, ran a blistering 200 meters during the preliminaries but was later disqualified for stepping inside his lane. Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024 Dossi, aged just 14 at the time, finished in the top 10 during that run, then returned for America’s Got Talent: The Champions, where she was eliminated in the preliminaries. Lars Brandle, Billboard, 21 Sep. 2023 There were some interesting moments in the qualifying preliminaries. oregonlive, 6 July 2023 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

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

Etymology

Noun

French préliminaires, plural, from Medieval Latin praeliminaris, adjective, preliminary, from Latin prae- pre- + limin-, limen threshold

First Known Use

Adjective

1657, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1656, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of preliminary was in 1656

Dictionary Entries Near preliminary

Cite this Entry

“Preliminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preliminary. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

preliminary

1 of 2 noun
pre·​lim·​i·​nary pri-ˈlim-ə-ˌner-ē How to pronounce preliminary (audio)
plural preliminaries
: something preliminary

preliminary

2 of 2 adjective
: coming before the main part or item : introductory
preliminarily adverb

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

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