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 Word Forms

• preambled 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

After a lengthy preamble, in which Penelope talked about fronds, spores, roots, rhizomes, and the impressive knack ferns have for growing in the shade, she began to catalog the varieties.

Read more on Literature

“Antisemitism is dangerous, antithetical to California values, and must not be tolerated in any California classroom, regardless of whether Jewish pupils are present in that classroom,” the preamble to the bill said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In the millions of words said and written in the preamble to this game, in all the different scenarios presented about how it might all pan out, nobody came up with this.

Read more on BBC

But this is mere preamble to the galleries below.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He gives us plenty of time to think about what we’re really watching: not must-see television, but the preamble to a funeral.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• preface