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

2

: a state of being prepared

3

: a preparatory act or measure

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

This gift is perfect for friends who love cold brew but want to avoid costly premade bottles or extensive preparation. —Hannah Rice, Rolling Stone, 1 Dec. 2023

Of course, organizers can dress up the series as the start of preparations for the T20 World Cup just over six months away in a saturation of major ICC events. —Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023

The meticulous preparation for the Miami event was not repeated a few months later, when Yaccarino, as the CEO of Twitter, stepped onstage for the Code conference for an interview with CNBC’s Julia Boorstin. —Kim Masters, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Nov. 2023

The rescuers had moved close enough that the workers trapped inside could hear the preparations for their rescue, Mr. Hasnain said. —Suhasini Raj, New York Times, 28 Nov. 2023

As the clock ticked down to 4 p.m., the time set for the hostages’ release, doctors and social workers carried out preparations to receive the hostages at six medical centers across Israel. —Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Washington Post, 24 Nov. 2023

If hosting family for the holidays is in your future, having enough dinnerware to serve everyone is a great place to start your preparation. —Rachel Trujillo, Southern Living, 24 Nov. 2023

The snippet showed preparations for the festive meal — including Shelton crunching Funyons over the turkey in a slow cooker. —Jack Irvin, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023

Photos released by the IDF of their preparations to receive the hostages appear to show headphones laid out inside military helicopter (above). —Anna Schecter, NBC News, 24 Nov. 2023

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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

Phrases Containing preparation

• in preparation
• in preparation for

• in preparation
• in preparation for

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