| 1. | serving or designed to prepare: preparatory arrangements. |
| 2. | preliminary; introductory: preparatory remarks. |
| 3. | of or pertaining to training that prepares for more advanced education. |
| 4. | preparatory to, in advance of; before: The astronauts met with the press preparatory to lifting off. |
pre·par·a·to·ry (prĭ-pār'ə-tôr'ē, -tōr'ē, -pâr'-, prěp'ər-ə-) adj.
pre·par'a·to'ri·ly adv. |