English-French translations for preliminary

• préalable
  Laissez-moi faire une remarque préalable. Allow me to make a preliminary remark.
  Voilà pourquoi je pose ma question préalable. That is why I am raising this preliminary question.
  Nous nous sommes entretenus à plusieurs reprises préalablement. We had a number of preliminary discussions together.
• préliminaire
  Tels étaient mes remarques préliminaires. These are my preliminary thoughts.
  Nos pensées préliminaires sont les suivantes. Our preliminary thoughts are as follows.
  J’ai trois observations préliminaires à faire. I have three preliminary observations here.

Definition of preliminary

• In preparation for the main matter; initial, introductory, preparatory
• A preparation for a main matter; an introduction
• Any of a series of sports events that determine the finalists

Examples

• These are just the preliminary results

Related words

• preliminarily
• preliminaries
• preliminary injunction
• preliminary examination
• preliminary ruling
• preliminary model
• preliminary budget
• preliminary discussions
• preliminary inquiry