preprocess

verb

pre·​pro·​cess (ˌ)prē-ˈprä-ˌses How to pronounce preprocess (audio)
-ˈprō-,
-səs
preprocessed; preprocessing; preprocesses

transitive verb

: to do preliminary processing of (something, such as data)
preprocessor
(ˌ)prē-ˈprä-ˌse-sər How to pronounce preprocess (audio)
-ˈprō-;
-sə-sər
-ˌsȯr
noun

Examples of preprocess in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
For years, clerks have lobbied Michigan lawmakers to amend the state's election law to give them more time to preprocess ballots before Election Day. Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, 31 Oct. 2024 Being able to preprocess a portion of the absentee ballots on Sunday and Monday to prepare them for counting helped speed up the tabulations this year, Baxter said. Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 9 Nov. 2022 Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, R-Clarklake, in the wake of the 2020 election, pointed to Florida — where election officials have weeks to preprocess absentee ballots — as a model for Michigan. Detroit Free Press, 29 Sep. 2022 For one, Funding Circle preprocessed thousands of loans before the second round opened up, and Metcalf says some 61% of those PPP applications were for $50,000 and under (the average loan size BlueVine has processed is also $50,000). Anne Sraders, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2020 Out of 100 recordings of test words, for two of them preprocessing returned an error. Sean Gallagher, Ars Technica, 28 Aug. 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of preprocess was in 1939

Dictionary Entries Near preprocess

Cite this Entry

“Preprocess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preprocess. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!