In plural. Things done to get ready for an event or undertaking; preparatory measures. Also in singular: a preparatory act or procedure. Frequently…

gen. A preparatory act, procedure, or circumstance; something that prepares the way for something else; a preliminary; a preparation.

An act, procedure, or circumstance that prepares the way for, or is performed in preparation for, something else; a preliminary; = preparative, n. 1b.

Preparation.

An arrangement, organization; preparations.

Disposition of measures for the accomplishment of a purpose; preparations for successful performance.

An accumulation of favourable publicity designed to popularize a person, product, etc. Also, simply, preparatory work, preparation. Cf. build, v. 4b…

transferred and figurative.

A period of time or series of occurrences leading up to some significant event; an action which prepares the way for one on a larger scale.

transferred. A deliberately easy round, question, etc., occurring early on in a contest; a warm-up.