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

But readiness can look different for boys. —Dr. Liz Doe Stone, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026

Engineers continue to verify system readiness before allowing underwater testing to begin. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 27 Jan. 2026

The leadership of Clayton County Public Schools, following a comprehensive and careful consideration of facility readiness and transportation availability, announced that the district will reopen for students and staff on Tuesday. —Christopher Harris, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026

China’s sudden removal of senior military leaders, including allegations that a top general leaked sensitive information to the United States, is raising new questions about internal turmoil inside the Chinese Communist Party and the readiness of the People’s Liberation Army. —Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 26 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for readiness

• steadiness
• unsteadiness