Definition of PREREQUISITE

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 on the Web Showing that a specimen is unique is a prerequisite for classifying it as belonging to a separate, new species that deserves its own name. — Vivien Shaw, Quartz, "Scientists want to rewrite the evolution of walking—but should they?," 14 Dec. 2019 Certain prerequisites must be met, and credits may be awarded for additional elements or building techniques, raising certification to silver, gold or platinum levels. — Michael Kolomatsky, New York Times, "Which States Build the Greenest?," 11 July 2019 Peso interest rates have also come down, which is a prerequisite for a return to growth. — Mary Anastasia O’grady, WSJ, "Argentina’s Monetary Rescue," 16 Dec. 2018 Holiday cacti need a short rest period at summer’s end as a prerequisite to bloom. — Washington Post, "Winter cacti are hard to name but easy to grow," 17 Dec. 2019 No prerequisites for the new coach were specified Monday. — Joey Knight, orlandosentinel.com, "USF won’t use search firm to hire next head football coach," 2 Dec. 2019 Just as the chemistry among players is usually a prerequisite for success, the same is usually true for the coaching staff. — Don Markus, baltimoresun.com, "Along with the players, Turgeon’s assistant coaches play their role in men’s basketball team’s development," 30 Nov. 2019 So while not a hard and fast prerequisite for joy, having enough in the bank can certainly take the sting out of happiness inhibitors. — Dan Carson, Houston Chronicle, "The minimum salary you need to be happy in Houston (and other cities)," 26 Nov. 2019 Perhaps some degree of inner and outer conflict, of bitterness, despair, and indignation at a world so alien to the heart’s desire, is a prerequisite of the creative process, or at least of its deepest and most stirring manifestations. — Lillian Symes, Harper's magazine, "San Francisco Blues," 25 Nov. 2019

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.

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Last Updated

8 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Prerequisite.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prerequisite. Accessed 20 January 2020.