preparatory

adjective

pre·​pa·​ra·​to·​ry pri-ˈper-ə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce preparatory (audio)
also ˈpre-p(ə-)rə-, 
pri-ˈpa-rə- How to pronounce preparatory (audio)
Synonyms of preparatorynext
: preparing or serving to prepare for something : introductory
New employees receive preparatory training.
preparatorily
pri-ˌper-ə-ˈtȯr-ə-lē How to pronounce preparatory (audio)
also ˌpre-p(ə-)rə-, 
pri-ˌpa-rə-
adverb

Synonyms of preparatory

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Examples of preparatory in a Sentence

There is a lot of preparatory work involved in teaching. a preparatory investigation to see if there is enough evidence to warrant bringing charges
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The drawing may have been made as a preparatory study to show a prospective patron before Canaletto completed a related painting. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 15 Oct. 2026 Canaletto expert Charles Beddington authenticated the drawing, which was likely a preparatory sketch for a painting last sold in 1995 for $354,000 (about $766,000 in today’s dollars). — News Desk, Artforum, 15 Oct. 2026 Chinese, Russian troops train together The PLA contingent traveled to Russia by road, rail and air and participated in the preparatory phase alongside forces from Russia, Belarus, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia and Tajikistan. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026 Account managers have seen their preparatory work shrink—AI can assemble meeting notes, summarize calls, draft follow-ups and flag patterns across client communication. — Victor Karpenko, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for preparatory

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Latin praeparātōrius, from praeparāre "to prepare" + -tōrius, deverbal adjective suffix, originally in derivatives from agent nouns ending in -tōr-, -tor

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of preparatory was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing preparatory

Rhymes for preparatory

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Browse Nearby Words

preparatorily
preparatory
preparatory school
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Cite this Entry

“Preparatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preparatory. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

preparatory

adjective
pre·​pa·​ra·​to·​ry pri-ˈpar-ə-ˌtōr-ē How to pronounce preparatory (audio) -ˌtȯr- How to pronounce preparatory (audio)
: preparing or serving to prepare for something : introductory
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