What does prerequisite mean?
A prerequisite is something that must be completed, learned, obtained, or satisfied before another action or stage becomes possible. The term is especially common in education, where a prerequisite may be a previous course, examination result, qualification, or body of knowledge. It is also used in professional, legal, and administrative contexts to describe an essential condition for a decision or transaction. The word tends to sound formal and precise, suggesting that the condition is not merely helpful but genuinely necessary. A prerequisite can be a requirement for admission to a programme, for eligibility to undertake a task, or for an agreement to be approved. Although the phrase “prerequisite for” is widely used, “prerequisite to” is also acceptable, especially when the following activity is a step in a larger process. Understanding the word is useful in education, career planning, project management, and formal applications, where identifying prior conditions helps prevent delays and misunderstandings.
A condition, qualification, or piece of knowledge that must be fulfilled before another action or stage can proceed.
"A passport is a prerequisite for international travel."
Common in formal, educational, and administrative contexts. “Prerequisite for” is the usual preposition.
Required before a particular course, programme, activity, or level of study.
"Students must pass the prerequisite course before enrolling in the advanced module."
This attributive use is especially common in education, as in “prerequisite course” and “prerequisite knowledge.”
The standard plural is “prerequisites.” The informal shortened form “prereqs” is also common, especially in academic and workplace contexts.
"Applicants must provide evidence of all prerequisites for admission."
A prerequisite is, literally, something required beforehand: it stands between you and the next step.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does prerequisite come from?
The word comes from Latin praerequisitus, a past participle of praequirere, meaning “to require beforehand.” The prefix prae- means “before,” and quaerere means “to seek” or “to ask for,” so the word originally referred to something needed in advance. English borrowed the term in the 17th century, and it became especially established in academic and administrative language. Its relatives include requisite, requisition, and require, all developed from the same Latin root associated with seeking or asking.
Related word forms
How prerequisite is actually used
The word is common in academic and formal contexts and often implies an official or clearly defined condition. It is usually followed by “for” or “to,” though “prerequisite for” is generally the more idiomatic construction. “Prereq” is common as an informal noun in education and workplaces.
Easily confused with prerequisite
A prerequisite is a condition or qualification needed beforehand, whereas a requisite is something required for a particular purpose and may function as an adjective or noun.