readiness

noun

read·​i·​ness ˈre-dē-nəs 

: the quality or state of being ready: such as

a

: a state of preparation

As Apollo approached readiness, a new system for validating flight hardware came into use.

—William Hines

… conditions that prevented all regiments being brought to battle readiness simultaneously …

—Graham A. Cosmas

Pym presented himself at the entrance to the school drive in readiness for Mr. Cudlove's arrival.

—John Le Carré

b

: prompt willingness

Kostunica has already expressed his readiness to talk with independence-minded leaders in Montenegro …

—Joshua Hammer et al.

Civil War reportage owed its successes also to the readiness of the military to accept photography as a new visual tool …

—Naomi Rosenblum

c

: ease, facility

The introduction was followed up on his side by a happy readiness of conversation

—Jane Austen

Examples of readiness in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In tandem, both sides can do wonders; the only thing needed is the readiness to collaborate and share knowledge. —Nataliya Andreychuk, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024

Before this role, Neumann served as an infantryman and assistant operations sergeant with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team at Fort Carson in Colorado, managing the readiness of soldiers and equipment. —Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024

Selling, general, and administrative expenses were relatively stable at $30.3 million, with slight increases due to severance costs and commercial readiness activities. —Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024

But a fight in the Pacific is not the only scenario the United States must be prepared for (and, ideally, deter), and readiness in other arenas will require addressing other deficiencies. —Kori Schake, Foreign Affairs, 8 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above