preparation

[ prep-uh-rey-shuh n ]

/ ˌprɛp əˈreɪ ʃən /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR preparation ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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

any proceeding, experience, or the like considered as a mode of preparing for the future.

an act of preparing.

the state of being prepared.

something prepared, manufactured, or compounded: a special preparation for sunbathers.

a specimen, as an animal body, prepared for scientific examination, dissection, etc.

Music.

the preparing of a dissonance, by introducing the dissonant tone as a consonant tone in the preceding chord.
the tone so introduced.

New Testament. the day before the Sabbath or a feast day.

British. work done by students in preparation for class; homework.

the Preparation, the introductory prayers of the Mass or other divine service.

Nearby words

prepack, prepackage, prepackaged, prepacked, prepaid, preparation, preparative, preparatively, preparator, preparatory, preparatory school

Origin of preparation

1350–1400; Middle English preparacion < Latin praeparātiōn- (stem of praeparātiō), a preparing, equivalent to praeparāt(us) (past participle of praeparāre to prepare) + -iōn- -ion

Related formsnon·prep·a·ra·tion, nounpre·prep·a·ra·tion, nounself-prep·a·ra·tion, nounsu·per·prep·a·ra·tion, noun

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

Examples from the Web for preparation

With 221 years of preparation, we should know how to respond.
Disease History Vs. Disease Hysteria|Kevin Bleyer|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Our memo standardizes across the services what we expect everyone to do in preparation of going, while there, and upon return.
U.S. Soldiers Get Just Four Hours of Ebola Training|Tim Mak|October 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Spall spent two years training to paint in preparation for the role.
Mike Leigh Is the Master Filmmaker Who Hates Hollywood|Nico Hines|October 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But not before Chloe climbs to the top of the highest bridge in NYC in preparation of killing herself.
‘Left Behind’ Review: Nicolas Cage’s Bible Movie Is God-Awful|Matthew Paul Turner|October 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Recruitment, preparation and performance evaluation are all coming under scrutiny.
Stop Scapegoating Teach for America|Conor P. Williams|September 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Unfortunately, corn-meal does not lend itself to the preparation of a dry bread having sufficient consistency to require chewing.
Health on the Farm|H. F. Harris
Both parties early sought to get control of those waters, and the preparation of armed vessels on them was vigorously begun.
Sustained honor|John R. Musick,
Planting, preparation of ground and cultivation are the same as for all other roses.
Trees, Fruits and Flowers of Minnesota, 1916|Various
Eleven days were spent in preparation, before the Thirteen, with all their infernal power, could reach the foot of the cliffs.
The Duchesse de Langeais|Honore de Balzac
I asked, in surprise, for it had been in my mind that the old man would make every preparation before summoning us.
The Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley|James Otis

British Dictionary definitions for preparation

preparation

/ (ˌprɛpəˈreɪʃən) /

noun

the act or process of preparing

the state of being prepared; readiness

(often plural) a measure done in order to prepare for something; provisionto make preparations for something

something that is prepared, esp a medicinal formulation

(esp in a boarding school)

homework
the period reserved for thisUsually shortened to: prep

music

the anticipation of a dissonance so that the note producing it in one chord is first heard in the preceding chord as a consonance
a note so employed

(often capital) the preliminary prayers at Mass or divine service

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

Word Origin and History for preparation

preparation

late 14c., "act of preparing," from Latin praeparationem (nominative praeparatio) "a making ready," noun of action from past participle stem of praeparare "prepare," from prae "before" (see pre-) + parare "make ready" (see pare). Meaning "a substance especially prepared" is from 1640s.

preparation

noun

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Origin of preparation

Examples from the Web for preparation

British Dictionary definitions for preparation

preparation

noun

Word Origin and History for preparation

preparation

Medicine definitions for preparation

preparation

n.