pre·lim·i·nary
pri-ˈli-mə-ˌner-ē 
: coming before and usually forming a necessary prelude to something else
preliminary studies
preliminary results
plural preliminaries
: something that precedes or is introductory or preparatory: such as
a
: a preliminary heat or trial (as of a race)
b
: a minor match preceding the main event (as of a boxing card)
c
: a preliminary scholastic examination
d
Examples of preliminary in a Sentence
Adjective
Preliminary findings show that the drug could help patients with skin cancer.
The team was eliminated in the preliminary round of the tournament.
research that is preliminary to the study
Noun
a meeting to discuss seating arrangements that was merely a preliminary to the formal negotiating sessions
Recent Examples on the Web
Javon Huynh, CNN Money, 23 May 2025
Police said their preliminary investigation indicates that the unidentified teen was handling a gun while recording her social media video when the firearm went off and struck her in the upper body.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 23 May 2025
Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 May 2025
As a preliminary for Roland Garros, a good run in Rome will do just fine to get the rust out of the racket.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for preliminary
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Adjective
Investigators at the time said preliminary evidence suggested a murder-suicide — an outcome their family members refused to believe.
—Javon Huynh, CNN Money, 23 May 2025
Police said their preliminary investigation indicates that the unidentified teen was handling a gun while recording her social media video when the firearm went off and struck her in the upper body.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 23 May 2025
Noun
And this month, he was seeded No. 1 in the Division II 50-yard freestyle at CIF and won in the preliminaries before being edged in the finals by 0.05 seconds.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 May 2025
As a preliminary for Roland Garros, a good run in Rome will do just fine to get the rust out of the racket.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for preliminary
Cite this Entry
“Preliminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preliminary. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
preliminary
1 of 2 noun
pre·lim·i·nary
pri-ˈlim-ə-ˌner-ē
plural preliminaries
: something preliminary
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