Definition of "Preparation" :

noun: the act of preparing something (as food) by the application of heat

"He left the preparation of meals to his wife."

noun: preparatory school work done outside school (especially at home)

noun: activity leading to skilled behavior

noun: the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose

"Preparations for the ceremony had begun."

noun: the cognitive process of thinking about what you will do in the event of something happening

noun: (music) a note that produces a dissonant chord is first heard in a consonant chord

"The resolution of one dissonance is often the preparation for another dissonance."

noun: the state of having been made ready or prepared for use or action (especially military action)

"Their preparation was more than adequate."

noun: a substance prepared according to a formula

"The physician prescribed a commercial preparation of the medicine."