precondition

[pree-kuhn-dish-uhn]

noun

1. something that must come before or is necessary to a subsequent result; condition.

   a precondition for a promotion.

verb (used with object)

1. to subject (a person or thing) to a special treatment in preparation for a subsequent experience, process, test, etc..

   to precondition a surface to receive paint.

precondition

/ ˌpriːkənˈdɪʃən /

noun

1. a necessary or required condition; prerequisite

verb

1. (tr) psychol to present successively two stimuli to (an organism) without reinforcement so that they become associated; if a response is then conditioned to the second stimulus on its own, the same response will be evoked by the first stimulus

Word History and Origins

Origin of precondition¹

First recorded in 1910–15; pre- + condition

Example Sentences

But given the value of reliable information to anyone trying to navigate our complex society, it seems preconditioned to fix itself.

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Yet Hamas' decision to enter the talks without explicit preconditions could also be seen as a recognition of its limited leverage after nearly two years of war.

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California, 19 other states and the District of Columbia sued, alleging that such preconditions are illegal and would undermine public safety.

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All were also party to the litigation challenging preconditions on such funding that was decided last week.

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In reality, though, the preconditions it is attaching to a meeting will almost certainly prove unacceptable to the Ukrainian side.

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Related Words

• arrangement 
• essential 
• necessity 
• prerequisite 
• provision 
• qualification 
• requirement 
• requisite 
• stipulation