preliminary

Pluralpreliminaries

1. 1
   adjective

   Coming before the main part, to help get things ready.

   Like a warm-up you do before the real game starts.

   The team had a preliminary meeting before starting the big project.

   We made a preliminary plan, but it could still change.

   Similarinitial, introductory, preparatory

   Oppositefinal, definitive

   Note
2. 2
   nouncountable

   Something done first to get ready for the main event.

   Like getting your tools ready before you start to build something.

   We skipped the preliminary and got straight to business.

   The opening speech was just a preliminary to the awards.

   Similarprelude, preamble, introduction, formality, overture

   Note
3. 3
   nouncountable

   An early game in a competition that decides who reaches the final.

   Like the early rounds you have to win to reach the big final.

   She won her preliminary and moved on to the semifinals.

   The preliminaries were held on Friday, with the final on Sunday.

   Similarheat, qualifier, eliminator

   Oppositefinal

4. 4
   nouncountable

   A smaller boxing match held before the main fight of the night.

   Like a small game played before the big match everyone came to see.

   The young fighter won a preliminary before the championship bout.

   We arrived early to watch the preliminaries.

   Similarcurtain-raiser, opener

   Oppositeheadliner

   Note

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