preconscious

1 of 2

adjective

pre·​con·​scious (ˌ)prē-ˈkän(t)-shəs How to pronounce preconscious (audio)
: not present in consciousness but capable of being recalled without encountering any inner resistance or repression
preconsciously adverb

preconscious

2 of 2

noun

: the preconscious part of the psyche especially in psychoanalysis

Examples of preconscious in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Some unconscious biases are actually stored in the preconscious mind. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2021 Plants were seen as being alive (in some vague, preconscious way) but certainly not intelligent or capable of making reasoned decisions. Richard Schiffman, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 May 2021 Watch the pilot again and marvel as Lynch, the master, the nutcase, so loads each frame with preconscious material—tinnital background river-roar, James Parker, The Atlantic, 13 May 2017

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1860, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1913, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of preconscious was in 1860

Dictionary Entries Near preconscious

Cite this Entry

“Preconscious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preconscious. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

preconscious

1 of 2 adjective
pre·​con·​scious -ˈkän-chəs How to pronounce preconscious (audio)
: not present in consciousness but capable of being recalled without encountering any inner resistance or repression
preconsciously adverb

preconscious

2 of 2 noun
: the preconscious part of the psyche especially in psychoanalysis

called also foreconscious

More from Merriam-Webster on preconscious

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!