1. (

• preliminary ,
• prelim

) a minor match preceding the main event ;

2. (

• preliminary ,
• overture ,
• prelude

) something that serves as a preceding event or introduces what follows; "training is a necessary preliminary to employment"; "drinks were the overture to dinner" ;

1. (

• preliminary

) denoting an action or event preceding or in preparation for something more important; "a preliminary investigation" ;