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noun B1 Intermediate Common

preparation

preh-puh-RAYSHN

Preparation (noun) means the act or process of getting ready for something. Example: “Preparation for the wedding took almost a year.”

noun
1
The act or process of getting ready for something.
"Preparation for the wedding took almost a year."
"Good preparation is the key to a successful presentation."
2
A substance, especially a medicine or remedy, that has been made ready for use.
"The pharmacy sells several herbal preparations for headaches."

How to Use Preparation

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishGetting ready for something, or a substance made ready for use, such as a medicine.

Common pairings
in preparation for make preparations

Word Forms

preparations plural

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____ for the wedding took almost a year.

Etymology

From Middle French preparacion, from Latin praeparatio, built from prepare plus -ation.

Origin: Latin

Related Words

Rhymes for preparation

See all rhymes for preparation →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “preparation” mean?

The word “preparation” means the act or process of getting ready for something. In plain terms, getting ready for something, or a substance made ready for use, such as a medicine.

How do you pronounce “preparation”?

“Preparation” is pronounced preh-puh-RAYSHN (/ˌpɹɛpəˈɹeɪʃ(ə)n/ in IPA).

How do you use “preparation” in a sentence?

Here is “preparation” used in a sentence: “Preparation for the wedding took almost a year.”

What part of speech is “preparation”?

“Preparation” is a noun.

Where does the word “preparation” come from?

The word “preparation” comes from Latin. From Middle French preparacion, from Latin praeparatio, built from prepare plus -ation.

Is “preparation” a common word?

“Preparation” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “preparation” have?

“Preparation” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act or process of getting ready for something.

What is the difference between 'preparation' and 'preparedness'?

Preparation is the act or process of getting ready for something, focusing on the work involved. Preparedness is the resulting state of being ready, focusing on the outcome rather than the process.

How do you use 'in preparation for' correctly?

'In preparation for' introduces the event you are getting ready for, as in 'they trained in preparation for the marathon'. It signals that the actions described are part of getting ready for something that comes later.

What is the difference between 'preparation' and 'arrangement'?

Preparation is the general process of getting ready for something, covering all the steps involved. An arrangement is a specific plan or agreement put in place, often about timing or organisation, so preparations may include making arrangements.

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