Definitions for preliminaryprɪˈlɪm əˌnɛr i

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

pre•lim•i•nar•y^*prɪˈlɪm əˌnɛr i(adj.; n.)(pl.)-nar•ies.

(adj.)preceding and leading up to the main part, matter, or business; introductory; preparatory.
(n.)something preliminary, as an introductory or preparatory step, measure, or stage.
a sports or athletic contest, esp. a boxing match, that takes place before the main event on the program.
Category: Sport
a preliminary examination, as of a candidate for an academic degree.

^* Syn: preliminary , introductory both refer to that which comes before the principal subject of consideration. That which is preliminary is in the nature of preparation or of clearing away details that would encumber the main subject or problem; it often deals with arrangements and the like that have to do only incidentally with the principal subject: preliminary negotiations. That which is introductory leads with natural, logical, or close connection directly into the main subject of consideration: introductory steps.

Origin of preliminary:

1650–60; < F prélimin(aire) and NL praelīmin(āris) (see pre -, liminal ) + -ary

pre•lim`i•nar′i•ly(adv.)

Princeton's WordNet

preliminary, prelim(noun)
a minor match preceding the main event
preliminary, overture, prelude(adj)
something that serves as a preceding event or introduces what follows
"training is a necessary preliminary to employment"; "drinks were the overture to dinner"
preliminary(adj)
denoting an action or event preceding or in preparation for something more important; designed to orient or acquaint with a situation before proceeding
"a preliminary investigation"

Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary

preliminary(adjective)ɪˈlɪm əˌnɛr i
happening before a more important thing
a preliminary report

Wiktionary

preliminary(Noun)
A preparation for a main matter; an introduction
preliminary(Noun)
Any of a series of sports events that determine the finalists
preliminary(Noun)
A relatively minor contest that precedes a major one, especially in boxing
preliminary(Adjective)
in preparation for the main matter; initial, introductory, preparatory
These are just the preliminary results.

Origin: From the préliminaire or from the Modern praeliminaris, formed from prae + limen, + -aris (adjectival suffix); compare the liminaris.

Webster Dictionary

Preliminary(adj)
introductory; previous; preceding the main discourse or business; prefatory; as, preliminary observations to a discourse or book; preliminary articles to a treaty; preliminary measures; preliminary examinations
Preliminary(noun)
that which precedes the main discourse, work, design, or business; something introductory or preparatory; as, the preliminaries to a negotiation or duel; to take one's preliminaries the year before entering college