preparation

[ prep-uh-rey-shuhn ]

noun

1. a proceeding, measure, or provision by which one prepares for something:

   preparations for a journey.

2. any proceeding, experience, or the like considered as a mode of preparing for the future.
3. an act of preparing.
4. the state of being prepared.
5. something prepared, manufactured, or compounded:

   a special preparation for sunbathers.

6. a specimen, as an animal body, prepared for scientific examination, dissection, etc.
7. Music.
   1. the preparing of a dissonance, by introducing the dissonant tone as a consonant tone in the preceding chord.
   2. the tone so introduced.
8. New Testament. the day before the Sabbath or a feast day.
9. British. work done by students in preparation for class; homework.
10. the Preparation, the introductory prayers of the Mass or other divine service.

preparation

/ ˌprɛpəˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of preparing
2. the state of being prepared; readiness
3. often plural a measure done in order to prepare for something; provision

   to make preparations for something

4. something that is prepared, esp a medicinal formulation
5. esp in a boarding school
   1. homework
   2. the period reserved for this Usually shortened toprep
6. music
   1. the anticipation of a dissonance so that the note producing it in one chord is first heard in the preceding chord as a consonance
   2. a note so employed
7. often capital the preliminary prayers at Mass or divine service

Other Words From

• nonprep·a·ration noun
• preprep·a·ration noun
• self-prepa·ration noun
• super·prepa·ration noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of preparation¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English preparacion, from Latin praeparātiōn-, stem of praeparātiō, from praeparāt(us) “made ready beforehand” (past participle of praeparāre “to make ready beforehand”; prepare ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

Eleven thousand aircraft would bomb preparation and give them air cover.

From The Daily Beast

With 221 years of preparation, we should know how to respond.

From The Daily Beast

That moment helped me with this journey--between the faith and the physical preparation of training and isolation with hot yoga.

From The Daily Beast

Our memo standardizes across the services what we expect everyone to do in preparation of going, while there, and upon return.

From The Daily Beast

Spall spent two years training to paint in preparation for the role.

From The Daily Beast

All my musical studies till now have been a mere going to school, a preparation for him.

From Project Gutenberg

Let your orders for preparation go round tonight, so that your knaves may be ready to set out betimes to-morrow.

From Project Gutenberg

Analysis and practice in preparation are the steps over which we must climb to the platform of power.

From Project Gutenberg

The preparation for thus remembering numbers without effort is the only exertion required.

From Project Gutenberg

The staining fluid is applied for five to fifteen minutes, and the preparation is rinsed quickly in water, dried, and mounted.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• arrangement
• construction
• education
• establishment
• formation
• groundwork
• measure
• plan
• precaution
• preparedness
• qualification
• rehearsal
• study
• training