[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/precondition/)

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# precondition

noun (a precondition, preconditions)

«precondition» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

Something that must be true or must happen before something else can happen. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/precondition/#m1)

### In the lessons

Used in formal talk, science and maths: «Water is a precondition for life.» In negotiations and rules: «There are no preconditions for joining the club.» In computing, a precondition is what must be true before a program step runs.

### Examples

- Finishing your homework is a precondition for going out to play. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/precondition/#x1)
- Oxygen is a precondition for fire. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/precondition/#x2)
- The talks began without any preconditions. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/precondition/#x3)
- A precondition for joining the team is coming to training. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/precondition/#x4)
- Trust is a precondition for friendship. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/precondition/#x5)
- Light is a precondition for photosynthesis. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/precondition/#x6)

### Note

Countable. Similar: requirement, condition, prerequisite. «Pre-» means before. Usually followed by «for» or «of».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «precondition» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/precondition/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«precondition» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/precondition.html) on Mova free.