Definition of prerequisite
:something that is necessary to an end or to the carrying out of a function
—
What's Trending Now
More Trending Words
Explore M-W
Examples of prerequisite in a Sentence
- Future greatness does not always inspire popularity. Coolness, in the high-school or hip sense of the word, is not a prerequisite for leadership. —Evan Thomas, Newsweek, 2 Aug. 2004
- … opposition to the totalitarian threat was the prerequisite for membership in American liberalism because communism was the defining moral challenge of the age. —Peter Beinart, New Republic, 13 Dec. 2004
- But old-school Andy lacks a skill that may soon be a prerequisite for 21st-century detective work: knowing how to glean secrets from a suspect's hard drive. —Daniel McGinn, Newsweek, 23 Sept. 2002
Recent Examples of prerequisite from the Web
-
The new general education policy does not affect requirements for majors, and faculty will be responsible for determining the relevant prerequisites for math and quantitative reasoning courses.
-
Even though southern Asia has all the prerequisites for yellow fever—monkeys, mosquitoes, a warm climate—the disease has never gained a foothold on the world's most populous continent.
-
As shown above, however, the need to probe a specific suspected crime is, by regulation, the prerequisite for appointing a special counsel.
-
Shay grows up poor in Seattle with many of the problems that seem a prerequisite to modern-day poverty: violence from an abusive parent and an abusive boyfriend and more bad choices than good ones.
-
When a noble title was a general's prerequisite, wars were won by the side that made fewer dumb mistakes.
-
Passing the measure through the House and Senate is a prerequisite to the Republican drive this fall to overhaul the tax code.
-
Strong blocking will obviously always be a prerequisite.
-
For years, high school juniors and seniors have fretted over taking the hourslong SAT, a rite of passage long considered a prerequisite for getting into college.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'prerequisite.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
Prerequisite is partly based on requirere, the Latin verb meaning "to need or require". So a prerequisite can be anything that must be accomplished or acquired before something else can be done. Possessing a valid credit card is a prerequisite for renting a car. A physical exam may be a prerequisite for receiving a life-insurance policy. And successful completion of an introductory course is often a prerequisite for enrolling in a higher-level course.
First Known Use of prerequisite
circa 1631
PREREQUISITE Defined for English Language Learners
prerequisite
play
noun
Definition of prerequisite for English Language Learners
-
: something that you officially must have or do before you can have or do something else
PREREQUISITE Defined for Kids
prerequisite
play
noun
pre·req·ui·site
\
prē-ˈre-kwə-zət
\
Definition of prerequisite for Students
:something that is needed beforehand :requirement
- Citizenship is a prerequisite for voting.
Learn More about prerequisite
-
Spanish Central: Translation of prerequisite Nglish: Translation of prerequisite for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of prerequisite for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up prerequisite? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!