English to English
adjective
- 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.
source: Webster 1913
noun
- a minor match preceding the main event
source: WordNet 3.0
- something that serves as a preceding event or introduces what follows
Training is a necessary preliminary to employment.
Drinks were the overture to dinner.
source: WordNet 3.0
- 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.
source: Webster 1913
adjective satellite
- denoting an action or event preceding or in preparation for something more important; designed to orient or acquaint with a situation before proceeding
A preliminary investigation.
source: WordNet 3.0
