precondition
Necessary prior circumstance
A precondition is something that must exist or happen before something else can occur: Ceasefire is a precondition for negotiations.
The word emphasizes that the requirement isn't optional—it's a necessary prerequisite.
In computing, a precondition is a state that must be true before a function executes properly.
Required prior condition
- necessityIndispensable requirement
- requirementMandatory condition to fulfill
- essentialFundamentally necessary
- must-haveIndispensable thing
sine qua non · criterion · qualification · requisite · mandate · imperative · constraint · threshold
Condition in an agreement
- clauseProvision in agreement
- provisoConditional clause in contracts
- provisionPreparatory supply or clause
- termFixed period or word
contingency · specification · covenant · obligation · binding · agreement · addendum · caveat
Foundation for logical argument
- assumptionUnverified belief accepted as true
- presuppositionImplicit prior assumption
- postulateAssumed starting point
- hypothesisTestable proposed explanation
axiom · given · antecedent · if-then · implication · predicate · assertion · supposition
Foundational preparation for something
- preparationArranging things in advance
- setupHow something is arranged
- foundationUnderlying support structure
- preliminaryBefore the main part
prelude · staging · readiness · advance work · spadework · lead-up
Confident statement of fact
- invariantRemaining always constant
- validationConfirming truth or accuracy
- contractEnforceable written agreement
- sanity checkVerification of basic soundness
Innate tendency toward something
- risk factorCondition increasing harm probability
- contraindicationReason to avoid treatment
- comorbiditySimultaneous presence of diseases
- screeningEvaluative selection process
baseline · prophylaxis · genetic predisposition · family history · vulnerability · susceptibility · medical clearance
prerequisite
Required prior condition
- necessityIndispensable requirement
- requirementMandatory condition to fulfill
- essentialFundamentally necessary
must-have · sine qua non · criterion · qualification · requisite · mandate · imperative · constraint · threshold · baseline
stipulation
Condition in an agreement
- clauseProvision in agreement
- provisoConditional clause in contracts
- provisionPreparatory supply or clause
term · contingency · specification · covenant · obligation · binding · agreement · addendum · caveat · rider
premise
Foundation for logical argument
- assumptionUnverified belief accepted as true
- presuppositionImplicit prior assumption
- postulateAssumed starting point
hypothesis · axiom · given · antecedent · if-then · implication · predicate · assertion · supposition · starting point
groundwork
Foundational preparation for something
- preparationArranging things in advance
- setupHow something is arranged
- foundationUnderlying support structure
preliminary · prelude · staging · readiness · advance work · spadework · lead-up
assertion
Confident statement of fact
- invariantRemaining always constant
- validationConfirming truth or accuracy
- contractEnforceable written agreement
predisposition
Innate tendency toward something
- risk factorCondition increasing harm probability
- contraindicationReason to avoid treatment
- comorbiditySimultaneous presence of diseases
screening · baseline · prophylaxis · genetic predisposition · family history · vulnerability · susceptibility · medical clearance
- requirementsrequirement, requirements, prerequisite, requisite, requisites
- conditionalsif, then, if clause, if clauses, else
- contract termscontract terms, agreement, terms, clause, clauses
- premisespremise, assumption, postulate, axiom, presupposition
- program verificationinvariant, invariants
- causes of damagestress, trauma, pollution, neglect, abuse
preconditionconsequence
Result of an action
result · aftereffect · aftermath · outcome · sequel
preconditionnonessential
Not required or needed
bonus · luxury · afterthought · superfluity · inessential