preliminary
adjective
- 1
denoting an action or event preceding or in preparation for something more important; designed to orient or acquaint with a situation before proceeding
a preliminary investigation
noun
- 1
something that serves as a preceding event or introduces what follows
training is a necessary preliminary to employment
drinks were the overture to dinner
- 2
a minor match preceding the main event
Also useful for “preliminary”:Crossword— A long fill for tough grids