adjective / noun
preliminary
prih-LIM-uh-nair-ee/prɪˈlɪmɪneri/
Preceding or preparing for the main activity or final version.
The preliminary sketch lays out the planned painting.
Etymology
Something preliminary stands 'before the threshold': it precedes and leads into the main undertaking. The threshold image makes it an introductory stage rather than the main action or finished version.
In context
by July 1st 1924 preliminary clearing Works had been completed and Main construction Works would begin around 6 weeks later
More examples
- We completed the preliminaries before the main event.
- These figures are preliminary and may change.
- She advanced after winning her preliminary round.
Forms
preliminary · preliminaries
Similar words
- initial
- At the beginning, without necessarily preparing for later work.
- preparatory
- Specifically getting ready for something.