Definition of prerequisite
: something that is necessary to an end or to the carrying out of a function
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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
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Black unity is a prerequisite for sustainable change. ...
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Similarly, if Democrats secure full control in 2020 (or 2024, or 2028), abolishing the filibuster will almost certainly be a prerequisite for any major redistributive reform.
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Accepting volatility is a prerequisite for investing in an emerging-market fund.
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In April, a federal judge ruled that the U.S. Justice Department cannot force police agents to help immigration efforts as a prerequisite to receiving federal grants.
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There are some lags in momentum and the centerpiece raunchy scene — seemingly a prerequisite to today’s comedies — comes off as a little formulaic.
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Universal pre-k education or school readiness has been identified as a prerequisite to school success for children across all demographics.
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General museum membership is a prerequisite for joining a support group, each of which carry their own dues.
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The only prerequisites were a high school diploma and a willingness to learn.
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
Definition of prerequisite for English Language Learners
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: something that you officially must have or do before you can have or do something else
PREREQUISITE Defined for Kids
Definition of prerequisite for Students
: something that is needed beforehand : requirement
- Citizenship is a prerequisite for voting.
Learn More about prerequisite
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Spanish Central: Translation of prerequisite Nglish: Translation of prerequisite for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of prerequisite for Arabic speakers
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