the action or process of getting something or someone ready for use, activity, or an event
After weeks of careful preparation, the students finally presented their science project.
Good preparation helped the marathon runner avoid injuries during the race.
✦ Late Middle English, from Latin praeparatio(n-), from praeparare ‘make ready beforehand’, from prae ‘before’ + parare ‘make ready’.
a substance, mixture, or product that has been made ready for a particular use
The doctor prescribed a herbal preparation to ease her cough.
This vitamin preparation should be taken with food.
✦ Sense developed in the 17th century as specialized products began to be created for medicine, cooking, and art.
the plans, arrangements, and tasks done before an event happens
Final preparations for the wedding were finished the night before.
They made emergency preparations in case the storm hit the town.
✦ The plural sense emphasizing collective arrangements became common in the 18th century, especially in reference to social events.
