preparatory

Adjective

Positive preparatory

Comparative none

Superlative none

1. (usually before the noun) Preparatory work, meetings, etc. are related to getting ready for something.

   Most of the preparatory work had been done, but the building had not actually started.

Related words

• preparatory school
• prepare
• preparation

Preposition

Preposition preparatory

1. (formal) If $x$ is preparatory to $y$, $x$ happens before $y$ to get ready for $y$.

   They began gathering equipment preparatory to climbing the mountain.