Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Preexistence \Pre`["e]x*ist"ence\, n.
   1. Existence in a former state, or previous to something
      else.

            Wisdom declares her antiquity and pre["e]xistence to
            all the works of this earth.          --T. Burnet.

   2. Existence of the soul before its union with the body; -- a
      doctrine held by certain philosophers. --Addison.

Source : WordNet®

preexistence
     n : existing in a former state or previous to something else