- (n.) That which precedes the main discourse, work, design or business; something introductory or preparatory; as, the preliminaries to a negotiation or duel; to take one's preliminaries the year before entering college.
- (a.) Introductory; previous; preceding the main discourse or business; prefatory; as, preliminary observations to a discourse or book; preliminary articles to a treaty; preliminary measures; preliminary examinations.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
| APA | Webster's. (2011). preliminary. Retrieved September 21, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/preliminary/definitions/2048668 |
| Chicago | Webster's. 2011. "preliminary" http://smartdefine.org/preliminary/definitions/2048668 (accessed September 21, 2026). |
| Harvard | Webster's 2011, preliminary, Smart Define, viewed 21 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/preliminary/definitions/2048668>. |
| MLA | Webster's. "preliminary" 27 May 2011. Web. 21 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/preliminary/definitions/2048668> |