A version of a scholarly paper distributed before formal peer review or publication. An advance copy of printed material.
Compound word formed from 'pre-' meaning 'before' and 'print.' The concept emerged in the 20th century as scientists wanted to share research quickly before the lengthy formal publication process. The digital age has made preprints increasingly common in academic communication.
Preprints represent a fascinating tension in academic culture between the desire for rapid knowledge sharing and the need for quality control through peer review. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated preprint adoption as researchers prioritized speed over traditional publication timelines, fundamentally changing how science communicates.
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