preliminary

/pri'liminəri/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
preliminary

The committee held a preliminary meeting to discuss the agenda.

Definition
  1. Adjective:

    • Preceding or preparing for something more important: Describing an action, event, or step that comes before and prepares for a main or more significant action.
    • Introductory or initial: Designed to provide basic information or orientation before a full or detailed activity begins.
  2. Noun:

    • An initial action or event that precedes and introduces something else: Something that serves as a necessary first step or preparation.
    • A minor contest or match held before a main event: A sporting or competitive event that occurs before the primary event.
Examples of Usage
  • Adjective:
    • The committee will conduct a preliminary investigation before launching a full inquiry.
    • Please submit a preliminary draft of your report by Friday.
  • Noun:
    • Completing the safety course is a preliminary to operating the machinery.
    • The boxers fought in the preliminary before the championship match.
Advanced Usage
  • "In preliminary form": In an initial, unrefined, or draft state.
    • The agreement exists only in preliminary form and is subject to change.
  • "As a preliminary to": Serving as an introduction or necessary first step for something.
    • The introductory lecture served as a preliminary to the advanced course.
Variants and Related Words
  • Preliminarily (adverb): In a preliminary manner; initially.
    • The results were preliminarily analyzed before the final report.
  • Prelim (noun, informal): A shortened, informal form of "preliminary," often referring to a preliminary examination or test.
    • She spent all week studying for her chemistry prelim.
Synonyms
  • Adjective: Initial, preparatory, introductory, opening, first.
  • Noun: Introduction, preamble, prelude, overture, precursor.
Related Phrases
  • Preliminary findings/results: The initial results or discoveries from an ongoing study or investigation.
    • The preliminary findings suggest a strong correlation between the two factors.
  • Preliminary round/stage: An early stage in a competition or process that eliminates some participants before the main event.
    • Our team advanced through the preliminary round of the tournament.
preliminary

The committee held a preliminary meeting to discuss the agenda.

Adjective
  1. denoting an action or event preceding or in preparation for something more important; designed to orient or acquaint with a situation before proceeding
    • a preliminary investigation
Noun
  1. something that serves as a preceding event or introduces what follows
    • training is a necessary preliminary to employment
    • drinks were the overture to dinner
  2. a minor match preceding the main event