prepare

verb

pre·​pare pri-ˈper How to pronounce prepare (audio)
prepared; preparing

transitive verb

1
a
: to make ready beforehand for some purpose, use, or activity
prepare food for dinner
b
: to put in a proper state of mind
is prepared to listen
2
: to work out the details of : plan in advance
preparing a campaign strategy
3
a
: to put together : compound
prepare a prescription
b
: to put into written form
prepare a report

intransitive verb

: to get ready
preparing for a career
preparer noun

Examples of prepare in a Sentence

The teacher prepared the students for the test. Your room is being prepared now and should be ready soon. The nurses prepared the patient for surgery. Farmers are busy preparing the soil for planting. They'll be arriving soon. We don't have much more time to prepare. We don't have much more time to prepare ourselves for their arrival. She tried to prepare herself for bad news. The sailors are preparing themselves for a long voyage. The pharmacist prepared the prescription.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The world's tallest and second-fastest roller coaster, Kingda Ka, has reached its final days, as demolition crews prepare to implode the iconic ride that has towered over Six Flags Great Adventure for nearly 20 years. Mike Davis, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025 Just prepare for some pretty large gaps along the way. February 21, 2025: Over a year after their four-month fling ended, Tom Brady and Irina Shayk are reportedly back on. Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 22 Feb. 2025 During this period, borrowers should prepare for potential changes in their repayment plans and consider alternative options. Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 22 Feb. 2025 The city can expect to receive about $1.3 million annually in tax revenue from three operating retail sales licenses, according to a staff report prepared for Wednesday’s meeting, and would receive more from a fourth license. Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prepare

Word History

Etymology

Middle English preparen, borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French preparer, borrowed from Latin praeparāre "to furnish beforehand, put in a state of readiness," from prae- pre- + parāre "to supply, provide, make ready" — more at pare

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of prepare was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Prepare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prepare. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

prepare

verb
pre·​pare pri-ˈpa(ə)r How to pronounce prepare (audio)
-ˈpe(ə)r
prepared; preparing
1
: to make ready beforehand
prepared us for the news
prepare for a test
2
: to put together the elements of : compound
prepare a prescription
preparer noun

Medical Definition

prepare

transitive verb
prepared; preparing
1
: to make ready beforehand
prepare a patient for surgery
2
: to put together : compound
prepared a vaccine from live virus
prepared the doctor's prescription

More from Merriam-Webster on prepare

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