preliminary

[ pri-lim-uh-ner-ee ]
/ prɪˈlɪm əˌnɛr i /

adjective

preceding and leading up to the main part, matter, or business; introductory; preparatory: preliminary examinations.

noun, plural pre·lim·i·nar·ies.

something preliminary, as an introductory or preparatory step, measure, contest, etc.: He passed the preliminary and went on to the finals.
a boxing match or other athletic contest that takes place before the main event on the program: A preliminary was fought at 8:00.
a preliminary examination, as of a candidate for an academic degree.
preliminaries, Printing. front matter.

Origin of preliminary

1650–60; < French prélimin(aire) and New Latin praelīmin(āris) (see pre-, liminal) + -ary

SYNONYMS FOR preliminary

1 prefatory. Preliminary, introductory both refer to that which comes before the principal subject of consideration. That which is preliminary is in the nature of preparation or of clearing away details which would encumber the main subject or problem; it often deals with arrangements and the like, which have to do only incidentally with the principal subject: preliminary negotiations. That which is introductory leads with natural, logical, or close connection directly into the main subject of consideration: introductory steps.

ANTONYMS FOR preliminary

1 concluding.

OTHER WORDS FROM preliminary

pre·lim·i·nar·i·ly, adverb

Words nearby preliminary

prelexical, prelibation, prelim, prelim., preliminaries, preliminary, preliminary sat/national merit qualifying test, prelimit, prelims, prelingually deaf, preliterate

Example sentences from the Web for preliminarily

British Dictionary definitions for preliminarily

preliminary
/ (prɪˈlɪmɪnərɪ) /

adjective

(usually prenominal) occurring before or in preparation; introductory

noun plural -naries

a preliminary event or occurrence
an eliminating contest held before the main competition

Derived forms of preliminary

preliminarily, adverb

Word Origin for preliminary

C17: from New Latin praelīmināris, from Latin prae before + līmen threshold