Preliminary
/prɪˈlɪmɪˌnɛri/
Meaning & Definition
noun
An action or event that serves as an introduction to something more important.
The teacher assigned a preliminary to assess the students' understanding of the topic.
A preliminary examination or test.
He passed the preliminary, allowing him to move on to the next phase of the interview process.
adjective
Serving as a preparation or introduction; introductory.
The preliminary rounds of the competition will narrow down the contestants.
Coming before the main event, action, or situation.
We held a preliminary meeting to discuss the project before the official launch.
Occurring at the beginning; initial.
The researchers conducted preliminary studies before embarking on the full-scale experiment.
Etymology
From Latin 'prælimināris', meaning 'serving as a threshold'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
preliminary round
An initial round in a competition or selection process.
preliminary findings
Initial results or observations from a study or research.
preliminary assessment
An initial evaluation to gather essential information.
Related Words
prelude
An introductory action or event.
preface
An introductory statement or explanation.
prologue
An introductory section of a literary work.