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View synonyms for preamble

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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Other Words From

  • preambled adjective
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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
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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
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Example Sentences

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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prealternate moltPreamble to the Constitution