prep·a·ra·tion / ˌprepəˈrāshən/ • n. the action or process of making ready or being made ready for use or consideration: the preparation of a draft contract the project is in preparation. ∎  (usu. preparations) something done to get ready for an event or undertaking: she continued her preparations for the party. ∎  a substance that is specially made up and usually sold, esp. a medicine or food. ∎  a specimen that has been prepared for scientific or medical examination: a microscope preparation. ∎  Mus. (in conventional harmony) the sounding of the discordant note in a chord in the preceding chord where it is not discordant, lessening the effect of the discord.

preparation. Device in harmony whereby effect of discord is lessened: the note in a chord which causes the chord to be discordant is sounded in the preceding chord where it is not a cause of discord, i.e. prepared discord. If this course is not followed, the discord is unprepared.