Skip to content
HOW TO PRONOUNCE

preliminary

/pɹɪˈlɪmɪnɛɹi/

Press play to hear how to pronounce preliminary.

American Pronunciation Guide · 0:55
Watch on YouTube ↗

What does preliminary mean?

adjective

  1. In preparation for the main matter; initial, introductory, preparatory.

noun

  1. A preparation for a main matter; an introduction.
  2. Any of a series of sports events that determine the finalists.
More meanings (1)

noun

  1. A relatively minor contest that precedes a major one, especially in boxing.

Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0

IPA pronunciation

/pɹɪˈlɪmɪnɛɹi/

Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Other dictionary pronunciations

/pɹiˈlɪmɪnɛɹi/
Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.

In the pages of books

See this word in context.

“Now just to learn whether you have pluck enough to let me do what I wish, I’ll give you a preliminary test.”
Thomas HardyFar from the Madding CrowdProject Gutenberg ebook #27
The preliminary stage of becoming acquainted was one which he always endeavored to ignore when a pretty and engaging woman was concerned.
Kate ChopinThe Awakening, and Selected Short StoriesProject Gutenberg ebook #160
More book examples (3)
You admit that the divergence of our nature is the preliminary of society, or, let us rather say, the material of civilization.
P.-J. (Pierre-Joseph) ProudhonSystem of Economical Contradictions; Or, The Philosophy of MiseryProject Gutenberg ebook #444
Though the designs of Catiline were not yet publicly known, yet considerable preliminary troubles immediately followed upon Cicero's entrance upon the consulship.
PlutarchPlutarch: Lives of the noble Grecians and RomansProject Gutenberg ebook #674
Edison was given a wire and batteries to operate with, but a preliminary test soon showed that he was going to fail.
Frank Lewis Dyer; Thomas Commerford MartinEdison: His Life and InventionsProject Gutenberg ebook #820