preliminaryhandling
nounUK /prɪˈlɪmɪnəri ˈhændlɪŋ/
US /prɪˈlɪməneri ˈhændlɪŋ/
The first steps you take to get something ready before the real work starts.
The preliminary handling of the new toys took place before the children arrived.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. The first care given to something, like cleaning or sorting, before it is used or stored.
The preliminary handling of the fruit included washing and sorting it.
3. The early steps taken to deal with a problem or request before a full review.
The clerk's preliminary handling of the complaint helped speed up the process.
4. The first actions taken to move or manage an object safely before its main use.
Preliminary handling of the fragile boxes required extra care.