readiness

noun

read·​i·​ness ˈre-dē-nəs 

: 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

Examples of readiness in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The latest awards reinforce how those engineering capabilities are being applied to torpedo reliability, submarine maintenance and the long-term readiness of America’s undersea fleet. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 9 Aug. 2026

More than 9,000 participants from 36 states and territories and five international participants are taking part in Northern Strike 26-2, one of the nation's largest reserve-component military readiness exercises. — Olivianna Calmes, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Industrial capacity increasingly underpins supply chain resilience, defense readiness and national competitiveness. — Ariyan Kabir, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026

The school's college requirement is part of a broader career readiness model. — James Taylor, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for readiness

• steadiness
• unsteadiness