preparatory school

noun

1. a private or parochial secondary school, especially one boarding its students and providing a college-preparatory education.

2. British.,  a private elementary school, especially one preparing its students for public school.

preparatory school

noun

1. (in Britain) a private school, usually single-sex and for children between the ages of 6 and 13, generally preparing pupils for public school

2. (in the US) a private secondary school preparing pupils for college

Word History and Origins

Origin of preparatory school¹

First recorded in 1815–25

Related Words

• prep school 
• private school