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
Bryan Mena, CNN, 7 Apr. 2024
At Gonzalez’s 2022 preliminary hearing, however, a police officer testified that the group had gone out searching to assault her.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2024
Also Friday, Israel announced that two officers – a colonel and major – had been sacked, and three others including a general had been reprimanded, following a preliminary military investigation into the drone strikes on the convoy.
—Taylor Luck, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 Apr. 2024
Tornado confirmed in Nelson County, Kentucky A preliminary EF-1 tornado touched down in the northeastern part of Nelson County on Tuesday, as confirmed by the NWS on Wednesday morning.
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 3 Apr. 2024
Roughly 75 percent of individual shareholders voted to elect the Disney slate, according to the preliminary tally.
—Brooks Barnes, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2024
However, sources told Variety that no sales agreement — preliminary or otherwise — has been negotiated at this point.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 3 Apr. 2024
Public dollars will blunt construction impact Construction on the Brent Spence Bridge companion structure will be under way next year, with some preliminary work possible this year.
—The Enquirer, 3 Apr. 2024
During the preliminary interview with investigators, the suspect admitted to being involved in the incident and a firearm was found in the suspect's possession, police said.
—USA TODAY, 2 Apr. 2024
David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2024
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
Adjective
The University of Michigan releases its preliminary reading of consumer sentiment for April.
—Bryan Mena, CNN, 7 Apr. 2024
At Gonzalez’s 2022 preliminary hearing, however, a police officer testified that the group had gone out searching to assault her.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2024
Also Friday, Israel announced that two officers – a colonel and major – had been sacked, and three others including a general had been reprimanded, following a preliminary military investigation into the drone strikes on the convoy.
—Taylor Luck, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 Apr. 2024
Tornado confirmed in Nelson County, Kentucky A preliminary EF-1 tornado touched down in the northeastern part of Nelson County on Tuesday, as confirmed by the NWS on Wednesday morning.
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 3 Apr. 2024
Roughly 75 percent of individual shareholders voted to elect the Disney slate, according to the preliminary tally.
—Brooks Barnes, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2024
However, sources told Variety that no sales agreement — preliminary or otherwise — has been negotiated at this point.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 3 Apr. 2024
Public dollars will blunt construction impact Construction on the Brent Spence Bridge companion structure will be under way next year, with some preliminary work possible this year.
—The Enquirer, 3 Apr. 2024
During the preliminary interview with investigators, the suspect admitted to being involved in the incident and a firearm was found in the suspect's possession, police said.
—USA TODAY, 2 Apr. 2024
Noun
On the national level, the competition is in four phases: preliminaries, quarterfinals, semifinals and finals.
—David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2024
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
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.
Dictionary Entries Near preliminary
Cite this Entry
“Preliminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preliminary. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
preliminary
1 of 2 noun
pre·lim·i·nary
pri-ˈlim-ə-ˌner-ē
plural preliminaries
: something preliminary
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share