preliminary

The definition of preliminary is something that happens or comes before the main action.

(adjective)

An example of a preliminary act is a drug screen that happens before a new employee is hired.

See preliminary in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

coming before or leading up to the main action, discussion, business, etc.; introductory; prefatory; preparatory

Origin: < Fr préliminaire or ModL praeliminaris < L prae- (see pre-) + L liminaris, of a threshold < limen, threshold (see limen)

Origin: Fr préliminaires, pl.

Related Forms:

See preliminary in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Prior to or preparing for the main matter, action, or business; introductory or prefatory.

noun pl. pre·lim·i·nar·ies

Something that precedes, prepares for, or introduces the main matter, action, or business.
An academic test or examination that is preparatory to one that is longer, more complex, or more important.
Sports A contest to determine the finalists in a competition.
Sports An event that precedes the main event of a particular program, especially in boxing or wrestling.
Printing The front matter of a book. Often used in the plural.

Origin:

Origin: From New Latin praelīmināris

Origin: : Latin prae-, pre-

Origin: + Latin līmen, līmin-, threshold

Related Forms: