preps; prepped; prepping
US, informal
: prepare: such as
a
: to make yourself ready for something
—usually + for
She spent all night prepping for the test.
The runners are prepping themselves for the race.
b
: to make (someone or something) ready for something
It took me about 20 minutes to prep the vegetables.
—often + forTeachers spent the week prepping students for the test.
The patient is being prepped for surgery.
informal
1
US
: preparation
Painting a room involves a lot of prep.
—usually used before another nounThese recipes require minimal prep time. [=you need only a little time to make these recipes]
college prep courses [=classes that students take to get ready for college]
2
US
: prep school
—usually used before another noun
prep students [=students who attend a prep school]
prep sports
3
British
: homework
preposition
Cite this Entry
“Prep.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/prep. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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