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. …”

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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

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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”; 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.

Example Sentences

“Too many approaches to peace-building foster perpetual dependency, and institutionalize crisis rather than leading people beyond it,” the charter’s preamble says, calling for “a coalition of willing States committed to practical cooperation and effective action.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 19, 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

Looking at it now, in a time of endless preamble and an on-stage banterfest that would test the patience of a saint, they moved at breakneck speed back then.

From BBC • Dec. 5, 2025

“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.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 16, 2025

I was getting ready to recite the preamble to the Declaration of Independence, which our class had to memorize.

From "Breaking Through" by Francisco Jiménez

Related Words

• preface