preliminary

Preliminary is an adjective meaning preceding or introductory; it describes actions, steps, information, or structures that come before a main part. It can indicate provisional or preparatory status. As a noun, a preliminary refers to an event, document, or investigation that precedes the principal one, such as preliminary rounds, preliminary remarks, or preliminary examinations.

In law, a preliminary hearing or examination is held to determine whether there is enough evidence to proceed to trial. It is not a determination of guilt or innocence. The exact form and authority of preliminary proceedings vary by jurisdiction; some systems use preliminary inquiries, grand juries, or pre-trial conferences.

In sports and competitions, preliminaries or prelims are early rounds used to reduce a field to finalists or to seed entrants. They may be timed, scored, or judged, and outcomes determine eligibility for later stages.

In research, planning, and design, preliminary work includes pilot studies, feasibility assessments, or initial designs that inform a main project. Preliminary data and analyses are often reported with caveats, since methods or sample sizes may change in subsequent stages.

Etymology: preliminary comes from Latin prae- meaning before and limen meaning threshold, through French or English development. The term emphasizes prior steps that prepare for the main activity, event, or analysis. It is commonly used across disciplines to signal that results or actions are provisional and subject to refinement.