preliminary
//prɪˈlɪmɪnəri//
Adjective
preliminaryCanonical form
1
Coming before or preparing for the main event, action, or business; introductory or preparatory.
We need to conduct preliminary research before starting the project.
Antonym
Noun
preliminariesPlural
1
An action or event that comes before and prepares for something more important; an introductory step or measure.
The negotiations began with the usual preliminaries.
2
A preliminary round or contest in a competition, especially in sports.
Our team won the preliminary and advanced to the finals.