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
Chad De Guzman, TIME, 21 Mar. 2025
The ruling created a preliminary injunction in the case between the health system, which is Idaho’s largest, and Attorney General Raúl Labrador.
Spokespersons for St. Luke’s and the Attorney General’s Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 21 Mar. 2025
Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025
During the preliminaries on Feb. 28, the Red Devils broke the national record in the 200 medley relay, as Bey teamed with sophomore Luke Vatev, senior Henry Guo and junior Matthew Vatev to time 1 minute, 26.75 seconds.
—Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
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Adjective
Just days before their performance, the court granted the preliminary injunction.
—Chad De Guzman, TIME, 21 Mar. 2025
The ruling created a preliminary injunction in the case between the health system, which is Idaho’s largest, and Attorney General Raúl Labrador.
Spokespersons for St. Luke’s and the Attorney General’s Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
Her six-game outburst in the state preliminaries screamed of consistency, with no score lower than 217 and none higher than 269.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025
During the preliminaries on Feb. 28, the Red Devils broke the national record in the 200 medley relay, as Bey teamed with sophomore Luke Vatev, senior Henry Guo and junior Matthew Vatev to time 1 minute, 26.75 seconds.
—Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 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 2 Apr. 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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