preconditions

noun

plural of precondition
as in requirements
something that must exist or happen before something else can exist or happen An education is an important precondition for getting a good job. They insist on a guarantee as a precondition to the deal.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of preconditions Three preconditions are needed to distribute accountability. — Udam Dewaraja, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026 These changes are the preconditions for lower rates. — Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards, Mercury News, 15 May 2026 That division was visible earlier this week when plans for a second round of talks in Islamabad collapsed after Iranian officials failed to confirm participation and instead introduced new preconditions under pressure from hard-line factions. — Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026 The report said negotiations will begin only if the other side accepts Iran's preconditions. — Arkansas Online, 11 Apr. 2026 Iranian preconditions But question marks hang over the ceasefire and the talks' ultimate outcome. — Azhar Sukri,kevin Breuninger,terri Cullen, CNBC, 11 Apr. 2026 The ceasefire announced by Trump on Tuesday night has been fragile, and both sides have accused the other of not meeting preconditions for the talks. — Justin Fishel, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026 And long-term, bat oils and droppings can stain a home and create preconditions for mold. — Caden Perry, jsonline.com, 24 Mar. 2026 Those funds pay for emergency shelters, transitional housing and rapid rehousing programs – which provide temporary rental assistance and the assistance of a social worker, without preconditions – and permanent supportive housing. — Deyanira Nevárez Martínez, The Conversation, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preconditions
  1. requirements
  2. necessities
  3. conditions
  4. prerequisites
Noun
  • The extradition process requires a hearing before a US judge to determine whether the treaty’s requirements are met, but the final decision is made by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who retains discretion to deny extradition.
    — Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
  • Now, Virginia's own environmental regulator is tightening emissions requirements for any generator permits filed on or after July 1, 2026.
    — Anna Demeo, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of requirements
Noun
  • If these tariffs take effect on August 19 as planned, Americans could once again feel the impact through higher prices — at a time when many are already feeling the strain of rising energy costs and other everyday necessities.
    — Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
  • Money leftover after paying for basic necessities are allocated to discretionary spending, like entertainment and dining out, or savings, like the emergency fund.
    — Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 21 July 2026
Definition of necessities
Noun
  • But those are the stakes, and those are the conditions (the Blazers) face.
    — Jason Quick, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • The partial eclipse here will be a technical affair, but the island's open beaches provide excellent naked-eye conditions for Perseid observing after dark, especially looking away from nearby coastal development.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 19 July 2026
Definition of conditions
Noun
  • To be blunt, Ballas more than has the prerequisites needed of him to judge Next Pro (notably alongside his mother, ballroom dance world legend Shirley Ballas).
    — McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2026
  • The program has a low-barrier admission policy and no prerequisites for the program for this reason.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026
Definition of prerequisites

Browse Nearby Words

precondition
preconditions
precursor
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Preconditions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preconditions. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on preconditions

Nglish: Translation of preconditions for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of maverick

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
thumbnail graphic with text word of the day quiz
Weekly "Word of the Day" Quiz See how well you know each Word of the Day for Ju...
See All