preparation

noun

prep·​a·​ra·​tion ˌpre-pə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: the action or process of making something ready for use or service or of getting ready for some occasion, test, or duty

The festival involves a lot of preparation.

Plans for the next edition are already in preparation.

She ran daily in preparation for the race.

2

: a state of being prepared : readiness

3

: a preparatory act or measure

busy with last-minute preparations for the wedding

4

: something that is prepared

specifically : a medicinal substance made ready for use

Examples of preparation in a Sentence

The festival involves a lot of preparation.

To complete this recipe, plan on about 30 minutes of preparation and 40 minutes of baking.

Recent Examples on the Web

The film captures the historic name succession ceremony for the actor and records the behind-the-scenes preparations for his name-inheritance debut performance. —Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 17 May 2026

Despite the preparations and the buzz among the nation’s vast population of soccer fans, World Cup fever has not caught on among families of the disappeared and the search teams that each week fan out across Guadalajara, looking for new graves. —Steve Fisher, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2026

Weather can—and does—shift quickly, so preparation is key. —Taryn Shorr-McKee, Travel + Leisure, 17 May 2026

The offerings there lean British tavern style, with items like a shatteringly crisp fish and chips, Irish soda bread, and curry on the lunch menu, while breakfast has those farm-fresh eggs in various preparations, including a sandwich with a slice of Taylor Ham, a New Jersey specialty. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English preparacioun, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French preparacion, borrowed from Latin praeparātiōn-, praeparātiō, from praeparāre "to prepare" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for preparation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

preparation

noun

prep·​a·​ra·​tion ˌprep-ə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: the action or process of making ready in advance

2

: a state of being prepared : readiness

3

: an act or measure that prepares

busy with preparations for the picnic

4

: something prepared

a medicinal preparation

Medical Definition

preparation

noun

prep·​a·​ra·​tion ˌprep-ə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: the action or process of preparing

2

: something that is prepared

specifically : a medicinal substance made ready for use

a preparation for colds