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

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.

From Time

This is a shame, since possessing the right sort of moral character is arguably a precondition for using rationality in beneficial ways.

From Washington Post

Good national social contracts are a precondition to good international cooperation, otherwise you cannot sustain political support.

From Time

They no longer feel the unfairness, the injustice, firsthand—and that has historically been a precondition to launching a claim.

From 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.

From Search Engine Land

Her release was a precondition to signing the EU Association Agreement.

From The Daily Beast

But what I am saying is that for me, at least, feeling loved and wanted by somebody was a precondition to health.

From The Daily Beast

He fell short of making this a precondition for talks, a requirement that had scuttled earlier attempts at negotiation.

From The Daily Beast

This, gal pals across America might note, was a precondition before she agreed to pick up and move to Silicon Valley.

From The Daily Beast

Willingness to refinance should have been a precondition of TARP aid back in 2008 and 2009.

From The Daily Beast

The precondition of thought as of life is that nature be uniform, or ultimately that the world be rational.

From Project Gutenberg

Such trust is a precondition to the existence of a thriving, modern economy.

From Project Gutenberg

The value of the money is a precondition of the money-function.

From Project Gutenberg

The precondition of every true calling must be, not love for art, but love for mankind.

From Project Gutenberg

Even biologically, two individuals of the higher animal species are the precondition to a new individual existence.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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