1. [noun] (uncountable) The act of preparing or getting ready.
2. [noun] That which is prepared.
3. [noun] (countable) A substance, especially a remedy, that is prepared.
4. [noun] The activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose; 'preparations for the ceremony had begun'.
5. [noun] A substance prepared according to a formula; 'the physician prescribed a commercial preparation of the medicine'.
6. [noun] 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'.
7. [noun] 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'.
8. [noun] (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'.
9. [noun] Activity leading to skilled behavior.
10. [noun] Preparatory school work done outside school (especially at home).
11. [noun] 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'.
