preparation

noun

prep·​a·​ra·​tion ˌpre-pə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: the action or process of making something ready for use or service or of getting ready for some occasion, test, or duty

2

: a state of being prepared

3

: a preparatory act or measure

4

: something that is prepared

specifically : a medicinal substance made ready for use

Examples of preparation in a Sentence

The festival involves a lot of preparation.

To complete this recipe, plan on about 30 minutes of preparation and 40 minutes of baking.

Recent Examples on the Web

Officials at Arrowhead Stadium gave one big reason: preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. —Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 15 Feb. 2025

There’s also a manager’s office just off the home dressing room along with another set aside for the coaches, plus a warm-up area and briefing room to further aid Wrexham’s pre-match preparations. —Richard Sutcliffe, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025

The 10 large plates on the menu cover a lot of appetites, with careful preparations of beef, duck, lamb, Chilean sea bass and spiced cauliflower. —USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025

The Astros' pitchers and catchers report to West Palm Beach, Florida, on Thursday to kick off preseason preparations for Houston's 2025 campaign. —Jay R. Jordan, Axios, 13 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English preparacioun, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French preparacion, borrowed from Latin praeparātiōn-, praeparātiō, from praeparāre "to prepare" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing preparation

• in preparation
• in preparation for

Kids Definition

preparation

noun

prep·​a·​ra·​tion ˌprep-ə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: the action or process of making ready in advance

2

: a state of being prepared : readiness

3

: an act or measure that prepares

busy with preparations for the picnic

4

: something prepared

a medicinal preparation

Medical Definition

preparation

noun

prep·​a·​ra·​tion ˌprep-ə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: the action or process of preparing

2

: something that is prepared

specifically : a medicinal substance made ready for use

a preparation for colds