Definition

1. Noun:

   • Something that is required as a prior condition: A prerequisite is something that must exist or be accomplished before something else can happen or be obtained. It is a necessary preliminary condition.
   • A required course of study: In an academic context, a prerequisite is a course or subject that a student must successfully complete before being allowed to enroll in a more advanced course.

2. Adjective:

   • Required as a prior condition: Describing something that is necessary before something else can occur or be considered.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • A high school diploma is a prerequisite for admission to most colleges.
  • Completion of Biology 101 is a prerequisite for taking the advanced genetics course.
• Adjective:
  • The prerequisite skills for this job include fluency in two languages.
  • They waived the prerequisite course requirement for students with equivalent work experience.

Advanced Usage

• "to be a prerequisite for/to something": To be a necessary condition for something.
  • Strong communication skills are a prerequisite for effective leadership.
• "meet/fulfill/satisfy a prerequisite": To successfully complete or possess a required condition.
  • You must meet all prerequisites before registering for the seminar.

Variants and Related Words

• Prerequisite knowledge/skill: The specific knowledge or skill required beforehand.
  • The workshop assumes prerequisite knowledge of basic statistics.
• Corequisite (noun): A course or requirement that must be taken concurrently with another, rather than beforehand.
  • Chemistry 110 is a corequisite for the lab session.

Synonyms

• Requirement: Something that is needed or demanded.
• Condition: A circumstance that must exist for something else to occur.
• Precondition: A condition that must be fulfilled before other things can happen.
• Necessity: Something absolutely essential.

Antonyms

• Optional: Available to be chosen but not mandatory.
• Elective: A course or subject chosen by the student, not required.

Related Phrases

• "as a prerequisite": Functioning as a necessary prior condition.
  • All applicants must pass a security check as a prerequisite for employment.
• "prerequisite to": Necessary before (often followed by a gerund or noun).
  • A calm mind is a prerequisite to making good decisions.

Adjective

1. required as a prior condition or course of study

Noun

1. something that is required in advance
   • Latin was a prerequisite for admission