pre-treatment

noun
UK /ˌpriːˈtriːtmənt/
US /ˌpriːˈtriːtmənt/

Things you do to get something ready before the main cleaning or fixing starts.

The dentist did a pre-treatment check before filling the tooth.

SYNONYMS

preparationpreliminary treatmentpreconditioningpriming

RELATED WORDS

pretreattreatmentpreparationconditioningprimer

OTHER MEANINGS

2. A first step in a process that makes the next step work better.

The fabric gets a pre-treatment so the dye sticks well.

3. Care given before a main medical procedure.

She had a pre-treatment scan before the surgery.

4. A coating or substance put on a surface before the main coat.

Apply a pre-treatment to the wall before painting.