preparations

Preparations refers to the actions, processes, or items used to make something ready for a specific purpose. It can describe preparations for an event, a task, or the production of a product, as well as the materials prepared in advance.

The term is used across many domains. In cooking, food preparation covers cleaning, trimming, chopping, cooking, and plating. In medicine and pharmacy, drug and dosage form preparations involve compounding, formulation, labeling, and quality control. In laboratory and analytical contexts, specimen or sample preparation includes cleaning, extraction, digestion, concentration, and purification to enable testing. In military and disaster planning, preparations include risk assessment, resource allocation, drills, and contingencies. In sports and performing arts, mental and physical preparation aims to optimize performance.

Common elements across preparations include assessment of needs, planning, gathering resources, correct sequencing, monitoring quality, and documenting results. The specific methods vary by field and goal, and preparations may be temporary or ongoing. Some preparations are routine and standardized, while others are customized or improvised.

The term originates from the Latin preparare, meaning to prepare beforehand. The plural "preparations" emphasizes the plural activities or items involved in readiness efforts.