preparatory

Word family

1 [only before noun]PREPARE done in order to get ready for something 预备的，准备的

preparatory talks to clear the way for a peace settlement

为缔结和平协议扫清道路的预备性会谈

preparatory drawings

草图

A lot of preparatory work still needs to be done.

还有很多准备工作要做。

2 preparatory to something formalBEFORE before something else and in order to prepare for it 作为某事的准备；在某事之前

The partners held several meetings preparatory to signing the agreement.

合伙人在签订协议之前举行了几次会议。

Examples from the Corpus

preparatory to something• The partners held several meetings preparatory to signing the agreement.

Examples from the Corpus

preparatory• The most frustrating aspect of this preparatory phase is the waiting period before the attack is triggered.• So striking was the experience that many were said to believe it was preparatory to the end of the world.• Accordingly, as much preparatory work as possible should be done in advance.• In far too many instances real hard preparatory work is confined to well trained union negotiators.• Months of preparatory work needs to be done before construction can begin.• Combined with the preparatory work now being undertaken, that will give councils the maximum time to prepare themselves before April 1993.• But assistant director of environment, development and transportation, Ken Glew, said preparatory work was progressing.• But first there is some preparatory work.

Chinese

Syllable

Corpus

BNC: 9706 COCA: 13044

preparatory adj.
⇨ first

BNC: 9706 COCA: 13044

preparatory

Before a time or event: before, first, early...