ˈkʊkəɹi ˈkʊ.kɪŋ ˈɡɹuːmɪŋ ˈplænɪŋ pɹɛp pɹɛpəˈɹeɪʃən pɹəˈvɪʒ.ən ˈtɹeɪnɪŋ the act of preparing something (as food) by the application of heat cooking can be a great art people are needed who have experience in cookery he left the preparation of meals to his wife preparatory school work done outside school (especially at home) activity leading to skilled behavior the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose preparations for the ceremony had begun the cognitive process of thinking about what you will do in the event of something happening his planning for retirement was hindered by several uncertainties (music) a note that produces a dissonant chord is first heard in a consonant chord the resolution of one dissonance is often the preparation for another dissonance the state of having been made ready or prepared for use or action (especially military action) putting them in readiness their preparation was more than adequate a substance prepared according to a formula the physician prescribed a commercial preparation of the medicine