as a preliminary to sth/to doing sth作为(為)某事/做某事的预(預)备(備) (zuòwéi mǒushì/zuò mǒushì de yùbèi)
1 (adjective)
Definition
occurring before or in preparation
Preliminary talks began yesterday.
Synonyms
first
Neil Armstrong was the first person to walk on the moon.
the first few flakes of snow
opening
the season's opening game
trial
a trial period
initial
The initial reaction has been excellent.
test
pilot
prior
introductory
an introductory course in religion and theology
preparatory
At least a year's preparatory work will be needed.
exploratory
initiatory
prefatory
the prefatory remarks supplied by the editors
precursory
2 (adjective)
the last match of the preliminary rounds
Synonyms
qualifying
eliminating
(noun)
Definition
an action or event occurring before or in preparation for an activity
Today's survey is a preliminary to a more detailed one.
Synonyms
introduction
In her introduction to the book she provides a summary of the ideas.
opening
the opening of peace talks
beginning
Think of this as a new beginning.
foundation
start
She demanded to know why she had not been told from the start.
preparation
first round
prelude
The protests are now seen as the prelude to last year's uprising.
preface
the preface to the English edition of the novel
overture
the William Tell Overture
initiation
This was my initiation into the peace movement.
preamble
the principles contained in the preamble to the Chinese constitution
groundwork
These courses provide the groundwork of statistical theory.
prelims
Additional synonyms
in the sense of beginning
Definition
a start
Think of this as a new beginning.
Synonyms
start,
opening,
break (informal),
chance,
source,
opportunity,
birth,
origin,
introduction,
outset,
starting point,
onset,
overture,
initiation,
inauguration,
inception,
commencement,
opening move
in the sense of groundwork
Definition
preliminary work as a foundation or basis
These courses provide the groundwork of statistical theory.
Synonyms
preliminaries,
basis,
foundation,
base,
footing,
preparation,
fundamentals,
cornerstone,
underpinnings,
spadework
in the sense of initial
Definition
of or at the beginning
The initial reaction has been excellent.
Synonyms
opening,
first,
early,
earliest,
beginning,
primary,
maiden,
inaugural,
commencing,
introductory,
embryonic,
incipient,
inchoate,
inceptive
Synonyms of 'preliminary'
preliminary
Explore 'preliminary' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of initiation
This was my initiation into the peace movement.
Synonyms
entrance,
debut,
introduction,
admission,
inauguration,
induction,
inception,
enrolment,
investiture,
baptism of fire,
instatement
in the sense of introductory
Definition
serving as an introduction
an introductory course in religion and theology
Synonyms
preliminary,
elementary,
first,
early,
initial,
inaugural,
preparatory,
initiatory,
prefatory,
precursory
in the sense of opening
the season's opening game
Synonyms
first,
early,
earliest,
beginning,
premier,
primary,
initial,
maiden,
inaugural,
commencing,
introductory,
initiatory
in the sense of opening
Definition
the beginning or first part of something
the opening of peace talks
Synonyms
beginning,
start,
launch,
launching,
birth,
dawn (literary),
outset,
starting point,
onset,
overture,
initiation,
inauguration,
inception,
commencement,
kickoff (informal),
opening move
in the sense of overture
Definition
a piece of orchestral music played at the beginning of an opera, oratorio, ballet, musical comedy, or film, often containing the main musical themes of the work
the William Tell Overture
Synonyms
prelude,
opening,
introduction,
introductory movement
in the sense of preamble
Definition
an introduction that comes before something spoken or written
the principles contained in the preamble to the Chinese constitution
Synonyms
introduction,
prelude,
preface,
foreword,
overture,
opening move,
proem,
prolegomenon,
exordium,
opening statement or remarks
in the sense of precursory
Synonyms
preceding,
previous,
prior,
preliminary,
introductory,
preparatory,
antecedent,
prefatory
in the sense of preface
Definition
anything introductory
the preface to the English edition of the novel
Synonyms
introduction,
preliminary,
prelude,
preamble,
foreword,
prologue,
proem,
prolegomenon,
exordium
in the sense of prefatory
Definition
concerning a preface
the prefatory remarks supplied by the editors
Synonyms
introductory,
opening,
preliminary,
preparatory,
antecedent,
precursory,
prefatorial,
prelusive,
prelusory,
proemial,
prolegomenal
in the sense of prelude
Definition
an event introducing or preceding the main event
The protests are now seen as the prelude to last year's uprising.
Synonyms
introduction,
beginning,
preparation,
preliminary,
start,
commencement,
curtain-raiser
Additional synonyms
in the sense of preparatory
Definition
introductory
At least a year's preparatory work will be needed.
Synonyms
introductory,
preliminary,
opening,
basic,
primary,
elementary,
prefatory,
preparative
in the sense of start
Definition
the place or time at which something begins
She demanded to know why she had not been told from the start.
Synonyms
beginning,
outset,
opening,
birth,
foundation,
dawn (literary),
first step(s),
onset,
initiation,
inauguration,
inception,
commencement,
kickoff (informal),
opening move
in the sense of trial
Definition
on a temporary basis while being tried out or tested