preamble

American  

[pree-am-buhl, pree-am-] / ˈpriˌæm bəl, priˈæm- /

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 British  

/ 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

Etymology

Origin of preamble

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

Explanation

A preamble is a brief introduction to a speech, like the Preamble to the Constitution that starts out "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union...do ordain and establish this Constitution." Preamble comes from the Latin praeambulus which means "walking before." And that's what a preamble does — it "walks" before a speech, often explaining what's coming. It's like the White Rabbit introducing the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland. Since it goes before a speech, think of it as a pre-ramble. A preamble is usually used for formal documents; you wouldn't include one in a text to your best friend.

Example Sentences

Under the rules of the Ethernet protocol—widely used in computer networks—each packet starts with a preamble, signaling data is on the way.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 16, 2025

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.

From BBC • Nov. 15, 2025

The hope, the optimism, the feelgood swirling around Hampden in the preamble was gone.

From BBC • Oct. 9, 2025

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

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 26, 2025

Without any preamble, my words come in a torrent.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

Related Words

• preface