Preparedness
ˌprɪˈpɛərdnəs
Definitions
The state of being ready or in a state of readiness; the state of being equipped beforehand.
ˌprɪˈpɛərdnəs
The state of being prepared.
The company's preparedness for cybersecurity threats was lacking.
💡 Simply: Preparedness is like having your backpack ready for a camping trip—you've got your tent, sleeping bag, and snacks all set so you can enjoy the adventure without worrying about being caught off guard.
👶 For kids: Being ready for something! Like having your umbrella ready if it might rain.
More Examples
The government emphasized the importance of disaster preparedness.
Our preparedness for the upcoming exam was a success.
How It's Used
"Emergency preparedness is crucial for natural disaster response."
"Military preparedness is essential for national security."
"Business preparedness involves having contingency plans in place."
Idioms & expressions
Disaster preparedness
Measures taken to prepare for and mitigate the effects of a disaster.
"The city's disaster preparedness plan includes evacuation routes and emergency shelters."
Emergency preparedness
Actions and planning done to prepare for an unexpected event.
"Schools conduct drills to enhance emergency preparedness for students."
From Old French *preparer* (to prepare) + -ed + -ness.
The word 'preparedness' gained prominence during times of national security concerns, particularly in the 20th century.
Memory tip
Think of being 'pre-prepared', ready for anything.