preparation

noun

prep·​a·​ra·​tion ˌpre-pə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce preparation (audio)
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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Backup Plan: Despite the best preparation, sensory overload can still happen. Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024 Several observers see another dark strategy in the current lawsuits and the preparations for others. Barton Gellman, TIME, 24 Oct. 2024 From the beginning, the Hawthorne location was envisioned to have full-scale, on-site food preparation. Adam Tschorn, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has cited intelligence about the preparation of two units with possibly up to 12,000 North Korean troops who would take part in the war alongside Russian forces. Tom Vanden Brook, USA TODAY, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for preparation 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of preparation was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near preparation

Cite this Entry

“Preparation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preparation. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

preparation

noun
prep·​a·​ra·​tion ˌprep-ə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce preparation (audio)
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 How to pronounce preparation (audio)
1
: the action or process of preparing
2
: something that is prepared
specifically : a medicinal substance made ready for use
a preparation for colds
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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