preliminary

5 definitions • 16 examples

coming before a more important action or event, especially introducing or preparing for it:

Preliminary results show that the vaccine is effective, but this has to be confirmed by further medical trials.

We've decided to change the design based on our preliminary findings.

an event or action that introduces or prepares for something else:

After a few polite preliminaries (= introductions), we stated our main ideas and intentions.

The French team finished first in the competition preliminaries (= the first part of the competition).

coming before a more important action or event, esp. introducing or preparing for it:

preliminary talks

a preliminary investigation

The preliminary rounds of negotiation went well.

coming before or done to prepare for a main or more important action, event, etc:

preliminary data/numbers/statistics The preliminary numbers indicate that all classes of creditors have accepted the plan.

A final report showed inflation rising 2.4%, up from a preliminary estimate of 2.3%.

He emphasized that the commissioner's decision is only preliminary.

The National Transportation Safety Board, in a preliminary report, did not say what may have caused the crash.

The case was dismissed because prosecutors were not ready for the preliminary hearing.

preliminary agreement/approval/decision The commission has given preliminary approval to another 27 projects totaling $3.1 billion.

a preliminary inquiry/investigation At present a preliminary investigation is under way.

preliminary discussions/meetings/talks

an event or action that prepares for or introduces something:

After the greetings and other preliminaries, the meeting got down to serious business.