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

The series was expressly marked as preparation for Australia’s full tour in 2027 (hooray, finally some selection foresight), but those runs might not go unnoticed in the more immediate future. —Sam Dalling, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025

Parents navigate uncertainty Wentland is in the final stretch of study preparation for the entrance exam for Alverno's nursing program. —Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025

The team grounds its legal decisions in case-specific insight, thorough preparation, and a clear strategy to stay ahead of opposing counsel. —Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025

Ochsner Health did not answer questions about flooding preparations at Choctaw General. —CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025

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

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