(preliminaries)
1.
Preliminary activities or discussions take place at the beginning of an event, often as a form of preparation.
Preliminary results show the Republican party with 11 percent of the vote...
Preliminary talks on the future of the bases began yesterday.
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2.
A ~ is something that you do at the beginning of an activity, often as a form of preparation.
A background check is normally a ~ to a presidential appointment.
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3.
A ~ is the first part of a competition to see who will go on to the main competition.
The winner of each ~ goes through to the final.
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