preparation

[prep-uh-rey-shuh n] /ˌprɛp əˈreɪ ʃən/
noun
1.
a proceeding, measure, or provision by which one prepares for something:
preparations for a journey.
2.
any proceeding, experience, or the like considered as a mode of preparing for the future.
3.
an act of preparing.
4.
the state of being prepared.
5.
something prepared, manufactured, or compounded:
a special preparation for sunbathers.
6.
a specimen, as an animal body, prepared for scientific examination, dissection, etc.
7.
Music.
  1. the preparing of a dissonance, by introducing the dissonant tone as a consonant tone in the preceding chord.
  2. the tone so introduced.
8.
New Testament. the day before the Sabbath or a feast day.
9.
British. work done by students in preparation for class; homework.
10.
the Preparation, the introductory prayers of the Mass or other divine service.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English preparacion < Latin praeparātiōn- (stem of praeparātiō), a preparing, equivalent to praeparāt(us) (past participle of praeparāre to prepare) + -iōn- -ion
Related forms
nonpreparation, noun
prepreparation, noun
self-preparation, noun
superpreparation, noun
Examples from the web for preparation
  • New models for teacher preparation are thinking outside the box.
  • Once again, thoughtful preparation and practice are the keys to giving an excellent presentation.
  • The author is grateful to all those who helped with the survey's preparation.
  • In preparation for routine scientific operations, their long-term stability was verified by conducting a first trial survey.
  • Between oddball earthquakes and far-reaching hurricanes, much of the country is in disaster preparation mode right now.
  • Avoid the stress of last-minute preparation with these time-saving steps.
  • Perceiving a threat coming from behind, the fly moves its middle legs backward in preparation to launch forward.
  • The visit has raised myriad security and logistical issues for the university, which has spent months in preparation.
  • The lack of political preparation is even more serious.
  • In preparation for this event many of these people will garb themselves in costumes, both sweet and scary.
British Dictionary definitions for preparation

preparation

/ˌprɛpəˈreɪʃən/
noun
1.
the act or process of preparing
2.
the state of being prepared; readiness
3.
(often pl) a measure done in order to prepare for something; provision: to make preparations for something
4.
something that is prepared, esp a medicinal formulation
5.
(esp in a boarding school)
  1. homework
  2. the period reserved for this Usually shortened to prep
6.
(music)
  1. the anticipation of a dissonance so that the note producing it in one chord is first heard in the preceding chord as a consonance
  2. a note so employed
7.
(often capital) the preliminary prayers at Mass or divine service
Word Origin and History for preparation
n.

late 14c., "act of preparing," from Latin praeparationem (nominative praeparatio) "a making ready," noun of action from past participle stem of praeparare "prepare," from prae "before" (see pre-) + parare "make ready" (see pare). Meaning "a substance especially prepared" is from 1640s.

preparation in Medicine

preparation prep·a·ra·tion (prěp'ə-rā'shən)
n.
A substance, such as a medicine, prepared for a particular purpose.