preparedness

American  

[pri-pair-id-nis, -paird-nis] / prɪˈpɛər ɪd nɪs, -ˈpɛərd nɪs /

noun

1. the state of being prepared; prepare; readiness.

2. possession of adequate armed forces, industrial resources and potential, etc., especially as a deterrent to enemy attack.

---

preparedness British  

/ prɪˈpɛərɪdnɪs /

noun

1. the state of being prepared or ready, esp militarily ready for war

---

Other Word Forms

• preparedly adverb
• unpreparedness noun

Etymology

Origin of preparedness

First recorded in 1580–90; prepared + -ness

Example Sentences

This new study adds further support, showing that expanding wastewater monitoring could play an important role in improving pandemic preparedness and slowing early transmission.

From Science Daily

Students offered career mentoring to younger students, hosted a podcast and invited alumni back to campus to host workshops on career preparedness.

From Los Angeles Times

Parents can’t help but worry about how a lack of AI preparedness will affect their kids’ future career prospects.

From The Wall Street Journal

Our wild imaginations and real-world confrontations with disaster, whether wrought by humans or Mother Nature, only solidify our more anxious interpretations of preparedness.

From Salon

New Zealand authorities are worried about more frequent and intense severe weather due to climate change and have sought to improve their emergency preparedness.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• alertness
• mobility
• preparation
• willingness