preparatory

adjective

pre·​pa·​ra·​to·​ry pri-ˈper-ə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce preparatory (audio)
 also  ˈpre-p(ə-)rə-,
pri-ˈpa-rə- How to pronounce preparatory (audio)
: preparing or serving to prepare for something : introductory
preparatorily
pri-ˌper-ə-ˈtȯr-ə-lē How to pronounce preparatory (audio)
 also  ˌpre-p(ə-)rə-
pri-ˌpa-rə-
adverb

Examples of preparatory in a Sentence

There is a lot of preparatory work involved in teaching. a preparatory investigation to see if there is enough evidence to warrant bringing charges
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In two rooms upstairs, there were hundreds of works: from art-school sketches and preparatory crayon drawings to large-scale, fully realized paintings that had taken Orlik months to complete. Sam Knight, New Yorker, 17 June 2025 That makes the Gold Cup, a three-week tournament with group play and a single-elimination knockout stage, an important preparatory test for the three hosts even if the field is less than stellar. Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2025 In his preparatory YouTube video, Goodge claimed it would be set to send a GPS ping every two minutes, rather than the default 10 minutes. Andrew Williams, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025 The Navy has replicated the Army's preparatory course and implemented its own training system for potential recruits who initially fall short. Luis Martinez, ABC News, 3 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for preparatory

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Latin praeparātōrius, from praeparāre "to prepare" + -tōrius, deverbal adjective suffix, originally in derivatives from agent nouns ending in -tōr-, -tor

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of preparatory was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Preparatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preparatory. Accessed 25 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

preparatory

adjective
pre·​pa·​ra·​to·​ry pri-ˈpar-ə-ˌtōr-ē How to pronounce preparatory (audio) -ˌtȯr- How to pronounce preparatory (audio)
: preparing or serving to prepare for something : introductory

More from Merriam-Webster on preparatory

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