preparation

American  

[prep-uh-ray-shuhn] / ˌprɛp əˈreɪ ʃən /

noun

• preparations
  plural

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.

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preparation British  

/ 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. 1. homework

   2. Usually shortened to: prep. the period reserved for this

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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonpreparation
  noun
• prepreparation
  noun
• self-preparation
  noun
• superpreparation
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• preparations
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of preparation

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”; see prepare) + -iō -ion

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Explanation

Preparation is the act of preparing — getting ready, planning, training, or studying with a goal in mind. If you know pre means before, then you have a clue to the meaning of preparation. Dressing up before a date, learning your lines for a play, and attending medical school are all forms of preparation. Boot camp is preparation for soldiers. Rehearsal is preparation for actors. In cooking a huge meal, you have to do a lot of preparation before actually beginning to cook. If you fail a test, you clearly need to do more preparation next time.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

preparation preparations

With both scientific instruments meeting or surpassing their expected performance, Roman has cleared another important milestone in its preparation for routine observations.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 17, 2026

The relative lack of preparation is out of McDermott's control.

From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026

By doing that, they avoided being criticized for a lack of preparation and having to look for names on an index card.

From Salon ● Oct. 16, 2026

“We know how quickly these conditions can turn dangerous,” she added, “and we know that preparation saves lives. I urge every household to treat this warning as a call to act today.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026

My father was in the meantime overjoyed, and, in the bustle of preparation, only recognised in the melancholy of his niece the diffidence of a bride.

From "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley

GB's preparations for the championships have been overshadowed by Matt Richardson's withdrawal from the squad amid reports he is under investigation for misconduct.

From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026

Improved preparations include increased wildfire drills, more training on the incident command system, more evacuation planning as well as earlier briefings and tactical meetings to improve pre-deployment.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2026

The Prime Minister is very well informed about our defense needs, particularly anti-ballistic defense and preparations for winter.

From Salon ● Oct. 11, 2026

The NHC warned residents in the likely impact zone that emergency preparations to protect lives and property from high winds and storm surges "should be rushed to completion."

From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026

I shrugged and went back to supervise preparations for the launch.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam

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Related Words

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

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