[uncountable] the act or process of getting ready for something or making something ready. food preparation; preparation for something Preparation for the ...

[intransitive, transitive] to make yourself ready to do something or for something that you expect to happen. I had no time to prepare.

the act or process of getting ready for something or making something ready. These skills are good preparation for a career in teaching.

to make it possible or easier for something to be achieved The committee will prepare the ground for further investigation of the issue. See prepare in the ...

prepared · ​. [not before noun] ready and able to deal with something. We'll be better prepared next time. When they set out they were well prepared. · ​.

prep · ​[transitive, intransitive] (especially North American English, informal) to prepare (something). prep something Prep the vegetables in advance. prep (for ...

There are two meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun prepare, one of which is labelled obsolete. See 'Meaning & use' for definitions, usage, ...

The earliest known use of the noun preparing is in the Middle English period (1150—1500). OED's earliest evidence for preparing is from 1497.

prepared (for something) ready and able to deal with something I was not prepared for all the problems it caused. We'll be better prepared next time.

​done in order to prepare for something. preparatory meetings; After a few preparatory drawings, she completed the portrait in one session. preparatory to ...