: something that is necessary to an end or to the carrying out of a function
prerequisiteadjective
Did you know?
Prerequisite is partly based on requirere, the Latin verb meaning "to need or require". So a prerequisite can be anything that must be accomplished or acquired before something else can be done. Possessing a valid credit card is a prerequisite for renting a car. A physical exam may be a prerequisite for receiving a life-insurance policy. And successful completion of an introductory course is often a prerequisite for enrolling in a higher-level course.
Example Sentences
Future greatness does not always inspire popularity. Coolness, in the high-school or hip sense of the word, is not a prerequisite for leadership. Evan Thomas, Newsweek, 2 Aug. 2004… opposition to the totalitarian threat was the prerequisite for membership in American liberalism because communism was the defining moral challenge of the age. Peter Beinart, New Republic, 13 Dec. 2004But old-school Andy lacks a skill that may soon be a prerequisite for 21st-century detective work: knowing how to glean secrets from a suspect's hard drive. Daniel McGinn, Newsweek, 23 Sept. 2002
Recent Examples on the WebFor him, as for thousands of others, refrigeration is a prerequisite for growth. Nicola Twilley, The New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2022 This brute force, though great to watch and recommended by most coaches, is not a prerequisite for success. Lance Reisland, cleveland, 12 Aug. 2022 However, Williams emphasized that owning a home is not a prerequisite for financial security. Paulina Cachero, Bloomberg.com, 16 June 2022 Indeed, until relatively recently, setting up a North American headquarters was something of a prerequisite for those wishing to access the U.S. VC ecosystem. Trevor Clawson, Forbes, 29 Aug. 2021 Kelly, who was appointed CEO in 2016, says that face time is an essential prerequisite for fostering a strong company culture, advancing diversity efforts, and helping talent develop. Phil Wahba, Fortune, 13 May 2022 Unity of command has long been recognized as an indispensable prerequisite for victory. Mark Kimmitt, WSJ, 13 Apr. 2022 The ability to support additional voice and video through internal corporate networks, as well as across the internet, is an absolute prerequisite for ensuring your workforce remains engaged. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 21 Sep. 2021 But in the past few years, the Trumpian wing of the Republican Party has made political inexperience virtually a prerequisite for office. Gerard Baker, WSJ, 8 Aug. 2022 See More