preliminary processing

noun

UK /prɪˈlɪmɪnəri ˈprəʊsesɪŋ/

US /prɪˈlɪmɪneri ˈprɑːsesɪŋ/

The first steps you do to get something ready before the real work starts.

The factory does preliminary processing on the fruit before it is packed into boxes.

SYNONYMS

initial processing preparatory processing pre-treatment early handling first-stage processing

RELATED WORDS

preparation preprocessing sorting cleaning inspection

OTHER MEANINGS

2. In computing, the first pass of data before the main program runs.

The software performs preliminary processing on the images to remove noise.

3. In food production, basic steps like washing and sorting before cooking or packing.

Preliminary processing of the beans includes drying and removing stones.

4. In research, the early organizing of raw data before analysis.

Preliminary processing of the survey results took two days.