preamble

[ pree-am-buhl, pree-am- ]

noun

1. an introductory statement; preface; introduction.

   Synonyms: prelude, prologue, foreword, beginning, opening

   Antonyms: closing, afterword, conclusion, appendix, epilogue

2. the introductory part of a statute, deed, or the like, stating the reasons and intent of what follows.
3. a preliminary or introductory fact or circumstance:

   His childhood in the slums was a preamble to a life of crime.

4. (initial capital letter) the introductory statement of the U.S. Constitution, setting forth the general principles of American government and beginning with the words, “We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union. …”

preamble

/ priːˈæmbəl /

noun

1. a preliminary or introductory statement, esp attached to a statute or constitution setting forth its purpose
2. a preliminary or introductory conference, event, fact, etc

Other Words From

• preambled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of preamble¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English preambel, preambile, from Middle French preambule, préamble from Medieval Latin praeambulum, noun use of neuter of Late Latin praeambulus “walking in front”; pre-, amble

Word History and Origins

Origin of preamble¹

C14: from Old French préambule, from Late Latin praeambulum walking before, from Latin prae- before + ambulāre to walk

Example Sentences

Our dinner was a preamble to The Lyle Hotel’s opening last month.

From Washington Blade

Like Jennings, he serves on the Finance Committee, which initially approved the preamble and then backtracked to remove it.

From Washington Post

I just don’t think the preamble was productive or necessary.

From Washington Post

A state Senate committee voted to strike the preamble from the bill so the legislation could keep moving forward.

From Washington Post

Add this to his four World Championships in the 10,000 meters and it was clear to see why the British television broadcasters, in their preamble to the event, called Kenenisa “the world’s greatest distance runner.”

From Fortune

These first two cases appear mainly as preamble, summarized without much elaboration.

From The Daily Beast

In short, not getting enough sleep is slowly killing us—and that nighttime preamble is certainly not helping.

From The Daily Beast

You appeared via video at the South by Southwest conference with the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution green screened behind you.

From The Daily Beast

First, the Second Amendment itself includes a preamble referring to the necessity of a “well-regulated militia.”

From The Daily Beast

Why have information spoken to you after an unnecessary preamble when you could read a text?

From The Daily Beast

All this preamble is to introduce the fact that the somebody new is the owner of Old Place.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Shiel said that the preamble already set forth that the bill was to effect a commutation.

From Project Gutenberg

The preamble admits that the existing laws were not sufficiently powerful to meet the circumstances for which they were designed.

From Project Gutenberg

From the preamble we can form a good idea of the lawlessness and confusion which prevailed on the borders of Wales at that period.

From Project Gutenberg

After these observations we shall proceed, without further preamble, to consider the five classes in their order.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• preface