preparation

noun

prep·​a·​ra·​tion ˌpre-pə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce preparation (audio)
1
: the action or process of making something ready for use or service or of getting ready for some occasion, test, or duty
2
: a state of being prepared
3
: a preparatory act or measure
4
: something that is prepared
specifically : a medicinal substance made ready for use

Examples of preparation in a Sentence

The festival involves a lot of preparation. To complete this recipe, plan on about 30 minutes of preparation and 40 minutes of baking.
Recent Examples on the Web Meanwhile, Boll and the Columbia crew were finalizing preparations. Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2024 But, when part of the finance collapsed, the other financiers bailed and preparations came to a halt. Patrick Frater, Variety, 20 Mar. 2024 Forget the science for a second; what kind of political will—totalitarian or otherwise—is required to keep centuries of preparation on track? Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2024 Aside from the long-term preparation and parade day itself, one layer is invisible to the public: the mad scramble by dozens of volunteers to get the festival area ready and the even madder scramble to take it all down. Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Mar. 2024 But some people avoid the exam because of the hassle of getting time off work or the day-ahead preparation that involves drinking a strong laxative to empty the bowels. Carla K. Johnson, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2024 To help with the preparations, the soon-to-be newlyweds have also enlisted a wedding planner to alleviate stress. Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 13 Mar. 2024 Torres Vidal now has legal permission to work and handles food preparation inside a Sweetgreen salad shop. Antonio Olivo, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2024 The menu is varied, not just Italian, but has chicken, fish, veal dishes and more including specials with various preparations. Felicia Campbell, The Arizona Republic, 12 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'preparation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English preparacioun, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French preparacion, borrowed from Latin praeparātiōn-, praeparātiō, from praeparāre "to prepare" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of preparation was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near preparation

Cite this Entry

“Preparation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preparation. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

preparation

noun
prep·​a·​ra·​tion ˌprep-ə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce preparation (audio)
1
: the action or process of making ready in advance
2
: a state of being prepared : readiness
3
: an act or measure that prepares
busy with preparations for the picnic
4
: something prepared
a medicinal preparation

Medical Definition

preparation

noun
prep·​a·​ra·​tion ˌprep-ə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce preparation (audio)
1
: the action or process of preparing
2
: something that is prepared
specifically : a medicinal substance made ready for use
a preparation for colds
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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