prepared; preparing
1
a
: to make ready beforehand for some purpose, use, or activity
prepare food for dinner
farmers preparing the soil for planting
b
: to put in a proper state of mind
is prepared to listen
2
: to work out the details of : plan in advance
preparing a campaign strategy
3
a
: to put together : compound
prepare a prescription
b
: to put into written form
prepare a report
: to get ready
preparing for a career
preparer
noun
Examples of prepare in a Sentence
The teacher prepared the students for the test.
Your room is being prepared now and should be ready soon.
The nurses prepared the patient for surgery.
Farmers are busy preparing the soil for planting.
They'll be arriving soon. We don't have much more time to prepare.
We don't have much more time to prepare ourselves for their arrival.
She tried to prepare herself for bad news.
The sailors are preparing themselves for a long voyage.
The pharmacist prepared the prescription.
Recent Examples on the Web
Alegría credited the pair’s experienced producing partners with helping guide them through the most unfamiliar process of preparing for the final cut and getting ready for the marketing, press, distribution conversations with Amazon as well as FilmNation.
—
Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 4 May 2026
This did not prepare me for Salt Tree.
—Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Largely due to this practice, there has not been a Republican Senator elected since 1982 or a governor elected since 2006 (usually a congressional seat would best prepare one for a Senate or governor’s position).
—Gary Franks, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026
As some communities prepare to maintain the status quo and others move toward withdrawal, transit leaders and local officials are expected to navigate the next phase of service adjustments, financial obligations and potential alternatives for riders across the region.
—Sergio Candido, CBS News, 3 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for prepare
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Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 4 May 2026
This did not prepare me for Salt Tree.
—Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Largely due to this practice, there has not been a Republican Senator elected since 1982 or a governor elected since 2006 (usually a congressional seat would best prepare one for a Senate or governor’s position).
—Gary Franks, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026
As some communities prepare to maintain the status quo and others move toward withdrawal, transit leaders and local officials are expected to navigate the next phase of service adjustments, financial obligations and potential alternatives for riders across the region.
—Sergio Candido, CBS News, 3 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for prepare
Cite this Entry
“Prepare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prepare. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prepare
verb
pre·pare
pri-ˈpa(ə)r 
-ˈpe(ə)r
prepared; preparing
1
: to make ready beforehand
prepared us for the news
prepare for a test
2
: to put together the elements of : compound
prepare a prescription
preparer
noun
Medical Definition
prepare
transitive verb
pre·pare
pri-ˈpa(ə)r, -ˈpe(ə)r
prepared; preparing
1
: to make ready beforehand
prepare a patient for surgery
2
: to put together : compound
prepared a vaccine from live virus
prepared the doctor's prescription
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