preparatory

American  

[pri-par-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, -pair-, prep-er-uh-] / prɪˈpær əˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i, -ˈpɛər-, ˈprɛp ər ə- /

adjective

1. serving or designed to prepare.

   preparatory arrangements.

2. preliminary; introductory.

   preparatory remarks.

3. of or relating to training that prepares for more advanced education.

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idioms

1. preparatory to, in advance of; before.

   The astronauts met with the press preparatory to lifting off.

preparatory British  

/ -trɪ, prɪˈpærətərɪ /

adjective

1. serving to prepare

2. introductory or preliminary

3. occupied in preparation

4. as a preparation to; before

   a drink preparatory to eating

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Other Word Forms

• nonpreparatory adjective
• preparatorily adverb

Etymology

Origin of preparatory

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English word from Medieval Latin word praeparātōrius. See prepare, -tory ¹

Example Sentences

The grouping added they welcomed "the commitment of nations who are engaging in preparatory planning" but provided no further details.

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026

While a formal agenda has yet to be completed, the recent phone call between Trump and Xi is expected to trigger a round of high-level preparatory meetings between U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 18, 2026

That’s in part because it decided to experiment with age-verification steps in Australia long before it received the government’s letter, as a preparatory step.

From Slate • Feb. 11, 2026

He said the parties discussed, for the first time, the possibility of a trilateral meeting between leaders, not simply representatives, but cautioned that "preparatory elements are needed for this".

From BBC • Feb. 7, 2026

Finally, on September u, ten months after we had first assembled in the Drill Hall, the prosecutor announced that the state’s case in the preparatory examination was completed.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

• preliminary
• previous