pre•lim′i•nar′i•ly, adv. 1. prefatory. Preliminary, introductory both refer to that which comes before the principal subject of consideration.

PRELIMINARY definition: preceding and leading up to the main part, matter, or business; introductory; preparatory. See examples of preliminary used in a sentence.

A preliminary is something that you do at the beginning of an activity, often as a form of preparation. You all know why I am here. So I won't waste time on preliminaries.

These adjectives mean going before and preparing the way for something else: a preliminary investigation; introductory remarks; an author's prefatory notes; preparatory steps.

Done or created in advance of a more complete or final version. See example sentences, synonyms, and etymology for the adjective preliminary.

Definition of preliminary adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Dec 27, 2025 · Noun preliminary (plural preliminaries) A preparation for a main matter; an introduction.

PRELIMINARY meaning: 1. coming before a more important action or event, especially introducing or preparing for it: 2…. Learn more.

Preliminary means something that comes before something else. If you want to run in the race, you have to place in the top third of the preliminary round. It can also mean "early" — the preliminary results …

The meaning of PRELIMINARY is coming before and usually forming a necessary prelude to something else. How to use preliminary in a sentence.