preliminary
/prɪˈlɪməˌneri/ /Brit prɪˈlɪmənri/
adjective
coming before the main part of something
noun
plural -naries
[count] something that comes first in order to prepare for or introduce the main part of something else - often + to
usually plural
a game that is played before the main part of a competition to decide which players or teams will be allowed to continue playing - usually plural