preparatory

adjective

pre·​pa·​ra·​to·​ry pri-ˈper-ə-ˌtȯr-ē 

 also  ˈpre-p(ə-)rə-,

pri-ˈpa-rə- 

: preparing or serving to prepare for something : introductory

preparatorily

pri-ˌper-ə-ˈtȯr-ə-lē 

 also  ˌpre-p(ə-)rə-

pri-ˌpa-rə-

adverb

Synonyms

• beginning
• introductory
• precursory
• prefatory
• prelim
• preliminary
• prelusive
• preparative
• primary

Examples of preparatory in a Sentence

There is a lot of preparatory work involved in teaching.

a preparatory investigation to see if there is enough evidence to warrant bringing charges

Recent Examples on the Web

Basically, those are college prep courses in history/social science, English, math, a foreign language, a laboratory science, visual and performing arts, and a college preparatory elective. —Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024

Whenever meteorologists begin mentioning a storm in the Gulf, Atlanta’s Office of Emergency Preparedness springs into preparatory action, Dickens said. —Jane Thier, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2024

Full negative processing and digitization of the analog material, two months preparatory work, tests, 34 shooting days, with the participation of 10 NFI Filmlab professionals. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 3 Sep. 2024

The 73-year-old is alleged to have traveled to Iran twice -- in May and August 2024 -- following preparatory meetings with representatives of Eddie in Turkey, the first of which took place in the southern city of Samandag in April 2024, police said. —David Brennan, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Latin praeparātōrius, from praeparāre "to prepare" + -tōrius, deverbal adjective suffix, originally in derivatives from agent nouns ending in -tōr-, -tor

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing preparatory

• preparatory school
• preparatory to

Kids Definition

preparatory

adjective

pre·​pa·​ra·​to·​ry pri-ˈpar-ə-ˌtōr-ē  -ˌtȯr- 

: preparing or serving to prepare for something : introductory