1. the act or process of forming something beforehand
2. a theory in biology that organisms develop from miniature but complete forms present in the egg or sperm
Usage: historical; biology

Examples

• The preformation of the committee allowed for quick decision-making.
• Scientists studied the preformation of crystals in the laboratory.
• The preformation theory was popular in the 17th and 18th centuries.
• Modern embryology has largely replaced preformation with epigenesis.
• The preformation of ideas occurred during the planning phase.
• Early biologists believed in preformation rather than gradual development.