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.
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
Explain hurricanes Tell your children that a hurricane is a giant, rainy windstorm that requires a lot of preparation and precaution.
—
Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 May 2026
Visible sections of the ship, including what appeared to be largely completed upper deck and island superstructures, suggested that construction is already at an advanced stage and that the vessel could soon move on to final outfitting and sea preparations.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 24 May 2026
California’s approach is to push forward with offshore wind preparations that fall within its jurisdiction, readying the ports and the power grid to eventually take on electricity from 1,000 turbines in federal waters.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026
Users can generate laser-ready SVG files instantly, without needing to understand vector editing, layer management or file preparation.
—New Atlas, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for preparation
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Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 May 2026
Visible sections of the ship, including what appeared to be largely completed upper deck and island superstructures, suggested that construction is already at an advanced stage and that the vessel could soon move on to final outfitting and sea preparations.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 24 May 2026
California’s approach is to push forward with offshore wind preparations that fall within its jurisdiction, readying the ports and the power grid to eventually take on electricity from 1,000 turbines in federal waters.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026
Users can generate laser-ready SVG files instantly, without needing to understand vector editing, layer management or file preparation.
—New Atlas, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for preparation
Cite this Entry
“Preparation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preparation. Accessed 25 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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