/,prepə'reɪʃn; ,prɛpə`reʃən/
n
1 [U] preparing or being prepared 预备; 准备
*You can't pass an exam without preparation. 不准备就考不及格.
* The preparation of the meals is your job. 做饭是你分内之事.
* [attrib 作定语] Food preparation areas must be kept clean. 制作食物的场所应保持清洁.
2 [C usu pl 通常作复数] ~ (for sth/to do sth) thing done to prepare for sth 准备工作; 准备措施
*The country is making preparations for war/to go to war. 该国正进行备战[准备打仗].
* Was your education a good preparation for your career? 你所受的教育是否为你的事业打下了良好的基础?
3 [C] substance that has been specially prepared for use as a cosmetic, medicine, etc 适合于某一用途如化妆、医药等的）配制品
*a pharmaceutical preparation 药剂
* a preparation for hiding/to hide skin blemishes 肤斑遮盖霜.
4 [C, U] (Brit) = prep 1.
5 (idm 习语) in preparation (for sth) being prepared (for sth) （为某事物）作好准备
*The advertising campaign is still in preparation. 广告宣传攻势仍在准备中.
* They've sold their house and car in preparation for leaving the country. 他们卖掉了房子和汽车准备出国.

n
[U]
the process of preparing something
　This dish is good for dinner parties because much of the preparation can be done ahead of time.
preparation for
　Business training is a good preparation for any career.
preparation of
　the preparation of the budget
do sth in preparation for sth
(=in order to prepare for something)
　He is practising every day, in preparation for the ice-skating championship.
　Plans for the new school are now in preparation .
　a course in food service and food preparation
preparations [plural]
arrangements for something that is going to happen
preparations for
　Preparations for the upcoming Olympic Games are nearing completion.
　Preparations are being made for the President's visit.
　The festival was a great success, and preparations are underway (=have started) for another one next summer.
[C]formal
a mixture that has been prepared and that is used for a particular purpose, especially as a medicine or to make your skin more attractive
　a new preparation for cleansing the skin