as in requirement
something that must exist or happen before something else can exist or happen
An education is an important precondition for getting a good job. They insist on a guarantee as a precondition to the deal.
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Recent Examples of precondition
Further negotiations between Israel and Lebanon scheduled this week in Washington raised speculation that the two sides could reach a new ceasefire, which Iran has demanded as a precondition of any broader diplomatic settlement with the US.
—
Brendan Ruberry,
semafor.com,
31 May 2026
But Iranian officials reiterated Tuesday that unfreezing the country’s overseas assets remains a precondition for continued negotiations.
—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2026
Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to resume talks with Kim, but Pyongyang has so far ignored the overtures and urged Washington to drop demands for the North’s nuclear disarmament as a precondition for talks.
—
ABC News,
25 May 2026
The definition clearly explains that access to the source code is a precondition for software freedom.
—
ArsTechnica,
20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for precondition
Brendan Ruberry,
semafor.com,
31 May 2026
But Iranian officials reiterated Tuesday that unfreezing the country’s overseas assets remains a precondition for continued negotiations.
—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2026
Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to resume talks with Kim, but Pyongyang has so far ignored the overtures and urged Washington to drop demands for the North’s nuclear disarmament as a precondition for talks.
—
ABC News,
25 May 2026
The definition clearly explains that access to the source code is a precondition for software freedom.
—
ArsTechnica,
20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for precondition
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precondition
Noun
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With low maintenance requirements and fast turnaround, Gripen provides an advanced and cost-effective fighter capability that is easy to operate and maintain, according to the company.
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DAFs carry no legal payout requirement — the dollars are irrevocably committed to charity, but on no particular schedule.
Noun
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The structural design curtails the necessity for active safety mechanisms, electronic trip switches, or manual operator control interventions during an operational deviation.
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These are films born out of creative necessity and a truly independent spirit.
Noun
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Air conditioning will be keeping millions of Americans safe and comfortable over the holiday weekend as a heat dome brings dangerous conditions to millions.
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The statute would ban covered officers from wearing masks or shielding their identities while on duty and interacting with the public, with exceptions including medical masks, religious coverings, certain tactical equipment and hazardous conditions.
Noun
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Meanwhile, the increase jobs with AI as a prerequisite has more than doubled.
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Proprietary data is also the prerequisite for multi-agentic workflows custom-built for specific business cases.
Cite this Entry
“Precondition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precondition. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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