precondition

[ pree-kuhn-dish-uhn ]

/ ˌpri kənˈdɪʃ ən /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for precondition on Thesaurus.com

noun

something that must come before or is necessary to a subsequent result; condition: a precondition for a promotion.

verb (used with object)

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.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON AFFECT VS. EFFECT!

In effect, this quiz will prove whether or not you have the skills to know the difference between “affect” and “effect.”

Question 1 of 7

The rainy weather could not ________ my elated spirits on my graduation day.

affect

effect

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Meet Grammar Coach

Write or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar help

Improve Your Writing

Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing

Origin of precondition

First recorded in 1910–15; pre- + condition

Words nearby precondition

preconceive, preconception, preconceptual stage, preconcert, precondemn, precondition, preconize, preconquest, preconscious, preconsonantal, precontract

How to use precondition in a sentence

The Committee recognized what we at Reporters Without Borders believe, which is that safeguarding of free expression is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace.
The Nobel Committee Sent a Message That Freedom of the Press Is Essential for Peace|Eloise Barry|October 8, 2021|Time
This is a shame, since possessing the right sort of moral character is arguably a precondition for using rationality in beneficial ways.
The power of rational thinking in a world that seems unreasonable|Nick Romeo|October 8, 2021|Washington Post
Good national social contracts are a precondition to good international cooperation, otherwise you cannot sustain political support.
The Pandemic Laid Bare the World’s Inequities. A Top Economist on Why We Need a New Social Contract|Dan Stewart|August 12, 2021|Time
They no longer feel the unfairness, the injustice, firsthand—and that has historically been a precondition to launching a claim.
Collective data rights can stop big tech from obliterating privacy|Martin Tisne|May 25, 2021|MIT Technology Review

Would-be LSA advertisers must submit to background and licensing checks to qualify for the Google Guarantee, a precondition for LSA participation.
Google takes Local Services Ads to Europe|Greg Sterling|September 30, 2020|Search Engine Land
Her release was a precondition to signing the EU Association Agreement.
Putin’s Power Grab: First Armenia, Now Ukraine|Will Cathcart|December 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But what I am saying is that for me, at least, feeling loved and wanted by somebody was a precondition to health.
I Was Adam Lanza|David Frum|December 22, 2012|DAILY BEAST
He fell short of making this a precondition for talks, a requirement that had scuttled earlier attempts at negotiation.
Iran Asserts Right to Enrichment as Baghdad Six Party Talks End|Michael Adler|May 25, 2012|DAILY BEAST
This, gal pals across America might note, was a precondition before she agreed to pick up and move to Silicon Valley.
Rules for New Husband Mark Zuckerberg to Live By|Lauren Ashburn|May 25, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Willingness to refinance should have been a precondition of TARP aid back in 2008 and 2009.
Obama is Right, We Need Mortgage Refinancing|David Frum|January 25, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The precondition of thought as of life is that nature be uniform, or ultimately that the world be rational.
Studies in Logical Theory|John Dewey
Such trust is a precondition to the existence of a thriving, modern economy.
After the Rain|Sam Vaknin
The value of the money is a precondition of the money-function.
The Value of Money|Benjamin M. Anderson, Jr.
The precondition of every true calling must be, not love for art, but love for mankind.
Romain Rolland|Stefan Zweig
Even biologically, two individuals of the higher animal species are the precondition to a new individual existence.
Introduction to the Science of Sociology|Robert E. Park

British Dictionary definitions for precondition

precondition

/ (ˌpriːkənˈdɪʃən) /

noun

a necessary or required condition; prerequisite

verb

(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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

precondition

Origin of precondition

Words nearby precondition

Words related to precondition

How to use precondition in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for precondition