prerequisite
noun
pre·req·ui·site
(ˌ)prē-ˈre-kwə-zət 
: 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
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
As much as creativity is a prerequisite for innovation, direction of creativity toward the project vision is essential.
—Jeffrey R. Wilson, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Jan. 2025
And if any part of his agenda does include increasing transparency, as Kennedy described in today’s hearing, expertise will have to be a prerequisite.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 30 Jan. 2025
None of those players are American born, which, historically, is a prerequisite for the face of the league moniker.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2025
Ending the violence in Gaza is a prerequisite but not the only one.
—John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for prerequisite 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jeffrey R. Wilson, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Jan. 2025
And if any part of his agenda does include increasing transparency, as Kennedy described in today’s hearing, expertise will have to be a prerequisite.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 30 Jan. 2025
None of those players are American born, which, historically, is a prerequisite for the face of the league moniker.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2025
Ending the violence in Gaza is a prerequisite but not the only one.
—John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for prerequisite
Dictionary Entries Near prerequisite
Cite this Entry
“Prerequisite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prerequisite. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prerequisite
noun
pre·req·ui·site
(ˈ)prē-ˈrek-wə-zət
: something required beforehand or necessary as preparation for something else
the course is a prerequisite for advanced study
prerequisite
adjective
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share