1. (

• preparation ,
• readying

) the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose; "preparations for the ceremony had begun" ;

2. (

• formulation ,
• preparation

) a substance prepared according to a formula; "the physician prescribed a commercial preparation of the medicine" ;

3. (

• planning ,
• preparation ,
• provision

) the cognitive process of thinking about what you will do in the event of something happening; "his planning for retirement was hindered by several uncertainties" ;

4. (

• readiness ,
• preparedness ,
• preparation

) the state of having been made ready or prepared for use or action (especially military action); "putting them in readiness"; "their preparation was more than adequate" ;

5. (

• preparation

) (music) a note that produces a dissonant chord is first heard in a consonant chord; "the resolution of one dissonance is often the preparation for another dissonance" ;

6. (

• training ,
• preparation ,
• grooming ,

) activity leading to skilled behavior ;

7. (

• homework ,
• prep ,
• preparation ,

) preparatory school work done outside school (especially at home) ;

8. (

• cooking ,
• cookery ,
• preparation ,

) the act of preparing something (as food) by the application of heat; "cooking can be a great art"; "people are needed who have experience in cookery"; "he left the preparation of meals to his wife" ;