preparation: Meaning and Definition of

prep•a•ra•tion

1. a proceeding, measure, or provision by which one prepares for something: preparations for a journey.
2. any proceeding, experience, or the like considered as a mode of preparing for the future.
3. an act of preparing.
4. the state of being prepared.
5. something prepared, manufactured, or compounded: a special preparation for sunbathers.
6. a specimen, as an animal body, prepared for scientific examination, dissection, etc.
1. the preparing of a dissonance, by introducing the dissonant tone as a consonant tone in the preceding chord.
2. the tone so introduced.
8. the day before the Sabbath or a feast day.
9. work done by students in preparation for class; homework.
10. the introductory prayers of the Mass or other divine service.