WordWeb Online

1. 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"

1. A minor match preceding the main event
   - prelim
    
2. Something that serves as a preceding event or introduces what follows
   "training is a necessary preliminary to employment"
   - overture, prelude

Derived forms: preliminaries

See also: explorative, exploratory

Type of: athletic competition, athletic contest, athletics, inception, origin, origination

Encyclopedia: Preliminary