ˌprepəˈrāshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English preparacion, from Middle French preparation, from Latin praeparation-, praeparatio, from praeparatus (past participle of praeparare to prepare) + -ion-, -io -ion
1.
a. : the action or process of making something ready for use or service
began preparation of the land for sowing
finished the preparation of the manuscript for the printer
b. : the action or process of putting something together : compounding
skilled in the preparation of home remedies
spent several years in the preparation of his masterpiece
has made the preparation of meals easier
c. : the action or process of getting ready for some occasion, test, or duty : training
exercised regularly in preparation for the fight
a period of observation in preparation for assuming the post — Current Biography
2. : a state of being prepared : fitness , preparedness , readiness
the car was in excellent preparation for the trip
3.
a. : ritual acts and observances preceding the Jewish Sabbath or other festival
it was the day of preparation for the Passover — Jn 19:14 (Revised Standard Version)
b. : liturgical prayers or private devotions said by one preparing for a sacrament (as the celebration of the Eucharist) or in advance of communicating ; also : the first part of the Communion service
4.
a. : a preliminary measure or plan : an action taken to expedite or prepare the way for something — usually used in plural
preparations for new elections were started at once — Americana Annual
b. : the anticipation of a dissonant tone as a consonance in the preceding chord ; also : the tone so sounded — see suspension illustration
c.
(1) : work done by a teacher or student in preparing for a class ; specifically : a unit of time regularly devoted by a teacher to preparing for a class
prefer teaching five sections, with three or four preparations — H.R.Douglass
(2) Britain : prep
d. : heavy fire delivered before an attack to disrupt the enemy's defenses and communications
artillery preparation
e. : a series of processes (as cataloging, shelflisting, marking) that a book is put through before it reaches the library shelves
5. : something that is prepared : something made, equipped, or compounded for a specific purpose
caffeine is one of the more common ingredients found in pharmaceutical preparations — Journal American Pharmaceutical Association
a widely sold preparation for colds