#1
preliminary s. 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"
. wn #2
preliminary n. [
prelim] a minor match preceding the main event
. wn #3
preliminary n. [
overture, prelude] something that serves as a preceding event or introduces what follows; "training is a necessary preliminary to employment"; "drinks were the overture to dinner"
. wn