"preparations for the ceremony had begun"

"the physician prescribed a commercial preparation of the medicine"

"his planning for retirement was hindered by several uncertainties"

"putting them in readiness"
"their preparation was more than adequate"

"the resolution of one dissonance is often the preparation for another dissonance"

"cooking can be a great art"
"people are needed who have experience in cookery"
"he left the preparation of meals to his wife"