preamble
Americannoun
-
an introductory statement; preface; introduction.
- Antonyms:
- closing, afterword, conclusion, appendix, epilogue
-
the introductory part of a statute, deed, or the like, stating the reasons and intent of what follows.
-
a preliminary or introductory fact or circumstance.
His childhood in the slums was a preamble to a life of crime.
-
(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. …”
noun
-
a preliminary or introductory statement, esp attached to a statute or constitution setting forth its purpose
-
a preliminary or introductory conference, event, fact, etc
Other Word Forms
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”; see 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.
Vocabulary lists containing preamble
Walk the Walk: Amb
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"On Women's Right to Vote" by Susan B. Anthony
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100 SAT words Beginning with "P"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Before this happens, however, we get a preamble.
From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026
And he told Wilson that Morfitt’s decision to send the term sheet without any preamble had been a mistake.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026
After such a spectacular preamble, this first act at least produced a dramatic finish.
From BBC • Feb. 24, 2026
A trading firm can save a few nanoseconds by sending the preamble first, before knowing if it wants to trade.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 16, 2025
“And that goes in the preamble of the message, which is not enciphered.”
From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
