adj. 1 advance, prior, introductory, beginning, initial, opening, preparatory, prefatory, preceding, antecedent, forerunning; premonitory; Formal or technical prodromal or prodromic The preliminary design for the swimming-pool is ready After some preliminary remarks, the ceremonies got under way.
n. 2 introduction, beginning, opening, preparation, groundwork, prelude, precedence; overture We insist on rigorous training as a preliminary to working in the field 3 prelims. Rarely, preliminaries. introduction, preface, foreword, preamble, prologue, front matter, Formal proem, exordium, prolegomenon, prodromus, prodrome The manuscript is finished and we are waiting for the prelims