preparedness

noun

pre·​pared·​ness pri-ˈper-əd-nəs 

also

-ˈperd-nəs 

: the quality or state of being prepared

especially : a state of adequate preparation in case of war

Examples of preparedness in a Sentence

The military is in a state of preparedness.

Recent Examples on the Web

Waffle House is known not just for serving breakfast 24/7, 365 days a year, but also for its disaster preparedness. — ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026

Exhibitors include first responder agencies and non-governmental organizations that showcase new technologies, offer recruitment opportunities, and demonstrate local preparedness and disaster response capabilities. — CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026

Though these predictions exist weeks ahead of events, their impact on preparedness is nebulous. — Vibhu Krishna, STAT, 2 Oct. 2026

The candidates are competing to represent a largely rural district where development, wildfire preparedness, roads and county spending have emerged as key issues. — Haley Parsley october 2, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

prepared entry 1 + -ness

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for preparedness

• unpreparedness

Kids Definition

preparedness

noun

pre·​pared·​ness pri-ˈpar-əd-nəs  -ˈper- 

also -ˈpa(ə)rd-nəs

or -ˈpe(ə)rd-

: the quality or state of being prepared

especially : a state of readiness for war