prelimPronunciation: /ˈpriːlɪm, prɪˈlɪm/Definition of prelim noun informal 1an event which precedes or prepares for another, in particular: a preliminary examination, especially at a university. a preliminary round in a sporting competition:the prelims of the 400-meter free relay 2 (prelims) the pages preceding the main text of a book, including the title, contents, and preface. Origin: late 19th century: abbreviation of preliminaryprelim in other Oxford dictionaries Definition of prelim in the US English dictionary