pre·lim·i·nary
pri-ˈli-mə-ˌner-ē 
: coming before and usually forming a necessary prelude to something else
preliminary studies
preliminary results
plural preliminaries
: something that precedes or is introductory or preparatory: such as
a
: a preliminary heat or trial (as of a race)
b
: a minor match preceding the main event (as of a boxing card)
c
: a preliminary scholastic examination
d
Examples of preliminary in a Sentence
Adjective
Preliminary findings show that the drug could help patients with skin cancer.
The team was eliminated in the preliminary round of the tournament.
research that is preliminary to the study
Noun
a meeting to discuss seating arrangements that was merely a preliminary to the formal negotiating sessions
Recent Examples on the Web
Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 12 Feb. 2026
The preliminary investigation showed that the front of a Range Rover collided with the front of a Nissan Altima before coming to rest blocking the northbound lanes of the road.
—Steven Yablonski, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
Paris Wilson, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Jan. 2026
Is it reduced to yet another fill-in-the-blank preliminary to a national title game in some super-duper-they-look-alike stadium?
—Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preliminary
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Adjective
Already, one in six families are in arrears, Wolfe said, noting the association’s preliminary review shows that household utility debt climbed to roughly $25 billion at the end of last year, up from about $23 billion the prior year.
—Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 12 Feb. 2026
The preliminary investigation showed that the front of a Range Rover collided with the front of a Nissan Altima before coming to rest blocking the northbound lanes of the road.
—Steven Yablonski, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
Lower‑demand preliminaries will likely be the most affordable, while high‑profile events—gymnastics finals, swimming finals, track and field, and the opening ceremony—will sit at the top end of the pricing spectrum.
—Paris Wilson, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Jan. 2026
Is it reduced to yet another fill-in-the-blank preliminary to a national title game in some super-duper-they-look-alike stadium?
—Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preliminary
Cite this Entry
“Preliminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preliminary. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
preliminary
1 of 2 noun
pre·lim·i·nary
pri-ˈlim-ə-ˌner-ē
plural preliminaries
: something preliminary
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