preliminary

[ pri-lim-uh-ner-ee ]

/ prɪˈlɪm əˌnɛr i /

adjective

preceding and leading up to the main part, matter, or business; introductory; preparatory: preliminary examinations.

noun, plural pre·lim·i·nar·ies.

something preliminary, as an introductory or preparatory step, measure, contest, etc.: He passed the preliminary and went on to the finals.

a boxing match or other athletic contest that takes place before the main event on the program: A preliminary was fought at 8:00.

a preliminary examination, as of a candidate for an academic degree.

preliminaries, Printing. front matter.

Nearby words

prelexical, prelibation, prelim, prelim., preliminaries, preliminary, preliminary sat/national merit qualifying test, prelimit, prelims, prelingually deaf, preliterate

Origin of preliminary

1650–60; < French prélimin(aire) and New Latin praelīmin(āris) (see pre-, liminal) + -ary

SYNONYMS FOR preliminary

1 prefatory. Preliminary, introductory both refer to that which comes before the principal subject of consideration. That which is preliminary is in the nature of preparation or of clearing away details which would encumber the main subject or problem; it often deals with arrangements and the like, which have to do only incidentally with the principal subject: preliminary negotiations. That which is introductory leads with natural, logical, or close connection directly into the main subject of consideration: introductory steps.

ANTONYMS FOR preliminary

1 concluding.

Related forms

pre·lim·i·nar·i·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for preliminarily

One must preliminarily have acquired the qualities necessary to drive a locomotive before deciding to set it going.
Dictatorship vs. Democracy|Leon Trotsky
The actual marriage was preliminarily postponed, on account of the tender age of the bride.
The Story of Norway|Hjalmar H. Boyesen
"Your grace, preliminarily, can still consider this garden as your own property," he respectfully responded.
The Daughter of an Empress|Louise Muhlbach
But, preliminarily, you must do one or two more exercises in tinting.
The Crown of Wild Olive|John Ruskin

The conclusions of the Consular Committee were then preliminarily examined and discussed.
The Swedish-Norwegian Union Crisis|Karl Nordlund

British Dictionary definitions for preliminarily

preliminary

/ (prɪˈlɪmɪnərɪ) /

adjective

(usually prenominal) occurring before or in preparation; introductory

noun plural -naries

a preliminary event or occurrence

an eliminating contest held before the main competition

Derived Forms

preliminarily, adverb

Word Origin for preliminary

C17: from New Latin praelīmināris, from Latin prae before + līmen threshold

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