pre-condition

A successful negotiation requires a pre-condition of mutual trust.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A condition that must be fulfilled before something else can happen: A "pre-condition" is a prerequisite or requirement that must exist or be satisfied in advance for a particular outcome, agreement, or process to take place.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The ceasefire was a pre-condition for the peace negotiations. (A requirement that had to be met before talks could begin.)
  • Having a valid passport is a pre-condition for international travel. (A necessary document needed beforehand.)

Advanced Usage

• "as a pre-condition to": functioning as a necessary requirement before something.

  • The bank demanded collateral as a pre-condition to granting the loan. (The bank required security before approving the loan.)

• "without pre-condition": without any prior requirements or stipulations.

  • The leader offered to meet without pre-condition. (The meeting was proposed with no prior demands.)

Variants and Related Words

• Precondition (n): a synonym for "pre-condition"; a condition that must be met in advance.

  • A good education is a precondition for many high-paying jobs. (A necessary requirement beforehand.)

• Preconditional (adj): relating to or serving as a pre-condition.

  • The preconditional agreement required both parties to sign. (The agreement that set the prior requirement.)

Synonyms

• Prerequisite: something required as a prior condition.
• Requirement: something that is needed or demanded.
• Necessity: something that is essential or unavoidable.

Related Idioms

• "set a pre-condition": to establish a requirement that must be met first.

  • They set a pre-condition that all debts be paid before the contract was signed. (They established a prior requirement.)

• "meet the pre-condition": to fulfill the necessary requirement.

  • The company met the pre-condition by providing financial statements. (They satisfied the prior requirement.)