preparatory school
Americannoun
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a private or parochial secondary school, especially one boarding its students and providing a college-preparatory education.
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British. a private elementary school, especially one preparing its students for public school.
noun
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(in Britain) a private school, usually single-sex and for children between the ages of 6 and 13, generally preparing pupils for public school
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(in the US) a private secondary school preparing pupils for college
Etymology
Origin of preparatory school
First recorded in 1815–25
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He played soccer and went to Bishop Denis J. O’Connell High School, a Catholic preparatory school in Arlington.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 9, 2026
Nuria Sajjad, eight, and her mother Smera Chohan had been taking a photograph together at the preparatory school in Wimbledon when they were hit.
From BBC • Nov. 15, 2023
When he boarded the car at the Metro Center station, it was packed with dozens of students, some wearing shirts and backpacks from Landon — a college preparatory school in Bethesda.
From Washington Post • Sep. 6, 2022
Through the Academy of Kings in Orlando, a preparatory school founded by his brother Marquel to help develop male leaders, Neasman has dedicated himself to inspiring youngsters.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 31, 2021
“I am sure you have heard of Hackett, the preparatory school for boys,” he said.
From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
