prerequisite

noun

pre·​req·​ui·​site (ˌ)prē-ˈre-kwə-zət How to pronounce prerequisite (audio)
: something that is necessary to an end or to the carrying out of a function
prerequisite adjective

Did you know?

Prerequisite is partly based on requirere, the Latin verb meaning "to need or require". So a prerequisite can be anything that must be accomplished or acquired before something else can be done. Possessing a valid credit card is a prerequisite for renting a car. A physical exam may be a prerequisite for receiving a life-insurance policy. And successful completion of an introductory course is often a prerequisite for enrolling in a higher-level course.

Examples of prerequisite in a Sentence

Future greatness does not always inspire popularity. Coolness, in the high-school or hip sense of the word, is not a prerequisite for leadership. Evan Thomas, Newsweek, 2 Aug. 2004
… opposition to the totalitarian threat was the prerequisite for membership in American liberalism because communism was the defining moral challenge of the age. Peter Beinart, New Republic, 13 Dec. 2004
But old-school Andy lacks a skill that may soon be a prerequisite for 21st-century detective work: knowing how to glean secrets from a suspect's hard drive. Daniel McGinn, Newsweek, 23 Sept. 2002
Recent Examples on the Web Comfort is not a prerequisite for good filmmaking; movies are supposed to be unsettling sometimes. Angela Watercutter, WIRED, 8 Mar. 2024 If trust were a prerequisite for communicating, belligerents would never start talking. Samuel Charap, Foreign Affairs, 5 Mar. 2024 Educational prerequisites often include obtaining a master’s degree to fulfill the 150 semester-hour requirement. Bryce Welker, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2024 This shift away from traditional education prerequisites signifies a broader transformation in job qualification narratives, advocating for skills over degrees. Sandy Carter, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 Broadening Career Horizons Versatility and Leadership: In contrast, an MBA is valued in sectors where CPA certification is not a prerequisite. Bryce Welker, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2024 This agenda is especially important to Saudi Arabia, whose foreign minister has made clear that a commitment to the two-state solution is a prerequisite for normalizing relations with Israel. Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2024 That challenge became merely a prerequisite, as the inspiration was already there. Eli Amdur, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024 Prior full-time work experience is an important prerequisite, and successful franchisees tend to have personal savings that can be invested in a business, though loans and grants also are available. Reach the writer at russ.wiles@arizonarepublic.com. The Arizona Republic, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prerequisite.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1631, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prerequisite was circa 1631

Dictionary Entries Near prerequisite

Cite this Entry

“Prerequisite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prerequisite. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

prerequisite

noun
pre·​req·​ui·​site (ˈ)prē-ˈrek-wə-zət How to pronounce prerequisite (audio)
: something required beforehand or necessary as preparation for something else
the course is a prerequisite for advanced study
prerequisite adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!