prep·a·ra·tion

[prep-uh-rey-shuhn]
noun
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.
7.
Music.
a.
the preparing of a dissonance, by introducing the dissonant tone as a consonant tone in the preceding chord.
b.
the tone so introduced.
8.
New Testament. the day before the sabbath or a feast day.
9.
British. work done by students in preparation for class; homework.
10.
the Preparation, the introductory prayers of the Mass or other divine service.
Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English preparacion < Latin praeparātiōn- (stem of praeparātiō), a preparing, equivalent to praeparāt(us) (past participle of praeparāre to prepare) + -iōn- -ion

Related forms
non·prep·a·ra·tion, noun
pre·prep·a·ra·tion, noun
self-prep·a·ra·tion, noun
su·per·prep·a·ra·tion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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00:10
Preparation is always a great word to know.
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a fool or simpleton; ninny.
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
preparation (ˌprɛpəˈreɪʃən) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
—n
1.  the act or process of preparing
2.  the state of being prepared; readiness
3.  (often plural) a measure done in order to prepare for something; provision: to make preparations for something
4.  something that is prepared, esp a medicinal formulation
5.  esp in a boarding school
 a.  homework
 b.  Usually shortened to: prep the period reserved for this
6.  music
 a.  the anticipation of a dissonance so that the note producing it in one chord is first heard in the preceding chord as a consonance
 b.  a note so employed
7.  (often capital) the preliminary prayers at Mass or divine service

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

preparation
1390, "act of preparing," from L. præparationem (nom. præparatio) "a making ready," from præparatus, pp. of præparare "prepare," from præ- "before" + parare "make ready" (see pare). Meaning "a substance especially prepared" is from 1646. Verb prepare
is attested from 1466, from M.Fr. preparer, from L. præparare; slang shortening prep is from 1927. Preparatory is first recorded 1413, from L.L. præparatorius, from L. præparatus. Applied from 1822 to junior schools in which pupils are "prepared" for a higher school.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

preparation prep·a·ra·tion (prěp'ə-rā'shən)
n.
A substance, such as a medicine, prepared for a particular purpose.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Example sentences
Also congratulate yourself for any advance preparation you've already done.
But going on a trip, no matter how near or far, requires some planning and preparation.
Layered clothing is your best preparation for changing conditions.
The opening of the event quieted widespread criticism after weeks of chaotic preparation.
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