readiness

noun read·i·ness \ ˈre-dē-nəs \

|Updated on: 13 Jun 2018

Definition of readiness

: the quality or state of being ready: such as

a : a state of preparation

As Apollo approached readiness, a new system for validating flight hardware came into use.
—William Hines

… conditions that prevented all regiments being brought to battle readiness simultaneously …
—Graham A. Cosmas

Pym presented himself at the entrance to the school drive in readiness for Mr. Cudlove's arrival.
—John Le Carré

b : prompt willingness

Kostunica has already expressed his readiness to talk with independence-minded leaders in Montenegro …
—Joshua Hammer et al.

Civil War reportage owed its successes also to the readiness of the military to accept photography as a new visual tool …
— Naomi Rosenblum

c : ease, facility

The introduction was followed up on his side by a happy readiness of conversation
—Jane Austen

See readiness defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of readiness from the Web

There also are growing concerns about the readiness of the command’s ships and personnel.

— nancy a. youssef, WSJ, "Pentagon Changes Top Officer, Name for Its Command Covering Asia," 30 May 2018
And while this is promoted as saving the taxpayer money, the unspoken impact is that this transitions the responsibility for the readiness of the whole community to the whole community, and not just the federal government.

— jeff schlegelmilch, Fortune, "The 2018 Hurricane Season Is Here. We Can’t Just Rely on the Federal Government to Help Us Prepare," 30 May 2018
As important as new laws, anti-corruption activists say, is the readiness of investigators, prosecutors and others to enforce them.

— The Economist, "European firms are increasingly tackling the scourge of bribery," 26 May 2018
The command provides support in the fields of: administration, medical, legal, chaplain, supply, combat systems, engineering, communications, and operations to improve readiness of submarines in the Groton area.

— Houston Chronicle, "Cleveland native supports ‘Silent Service’," 25 May 2018
The readiness of the rookie class The Ravens’ 12-man draft class is tied for the biggest in franchise history.

— jeff zrebiec, baltimoresun.com, "Organized team activities will provide best glimpse yet at new-look Ravens roster," 24 May 2018
The command provides support in the fields of administration, medical, legal, chaplain, supply, combat systems, engineering, communications, and operations to improve readiness of submarines in the Groton area.

— milwaukee, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Menomonee Falls native supports nuclear subs," 22 May 2018
Television crews have been checking the readiness of bomb shelters in northern Israel.

— New York Times, "For Netanyahu, Vindication and New Risk After Trump’s Iran Decision," 8 May 2018
The onboard diagnostic system, or OBD, continuously monitors the emission controls, but some emission controls will not clear the readiness monitors until the car goes through an OBD drive cycle.

— bob weber, chicagotribune.com, "How could a newer car fail emissions testing?," 29 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'readiness.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.