preparation

noun

• the action or process of making ready or being made ready for use or consideration:the preparation of a draft contract the project is in preparation
• (usually preparations) something done to get ready for an event or undertaking:she continued her preparations for the party
• a substance that is specially made up and usually sold, especially a medicine or food.
• a specimen that has been prepared for scientific or medical examination:a microscope preparation
• Music (in conventional harmony) the sounding of the discordant note in a chord in the preceding chord where it is not discordant, lessening the effect of the discord.