preface

American  

[pref-is] / ˈprɛf ɪs /

noun

1. a preliminary statement in a book by the book's author or editor, setting forth its purpose and scope, expressing acknowledgment of assistance from others, etc.

   Antonyms:

   appendix

2. an introductory part, as of a speech.

   Synonyms:

   prologue, preamble

   Antonyms:

   epilogue

3. something preliminary or introductory.

   The meeting was the preface to an alliance.

   Synonyms:

   prologue, preamble

   Antonyms:

   epilogue

4. Ecclesiastical. a prayer of thanksgiving, the introduction to the canon of the Mass, ending with the Sanctus.

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verb (used with object)

prefaced, prefacing

1. to provide with or introduce by a preface.

2. to serve as a preface to.

preface British  

/ ˈprɛfɪs /

noun

1. a statement written as an introduction to a literary or other work, typically explaining its scope, intention, method, etc; foreword

2. anything introductory

3. RC Church a prayer of thanksgiving and exhortation serving as an introduction to the canon of the Mass

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verb

1. to furnish with a preface

2. to serve as a preface to

Related Words

See introduction.

Other Word Forms

• prefacer noun
• unprefaced adjective

Etymology

Origin of preface

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin prēfātia, for Latin praefātiō “a saying beforehand,” equivalent to praefāt(us) (past participle of praefārī “to say beforehand”; pre-, fate ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

As climate scientist Kevin Trenberth noted in the preface, the collection is designed as an ongoing effort that reflects the evolving nature of climate science.

From Science Daily • Jan. 14, 2026

It’s not my habit to preface my columns with “trigger alerts,” so this is a first:

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 14, 2025

“It is music for the people who play the piece and for the people who hear it,” he wrote in a preface to the concert.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 6, 2025

But this exhibitionistic Oedipus is the star of the show’s unnecessary preface, a belabored warmup act that should have been cut in rehearsals.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 5, 2025

Copernicus had no chance to complain about the preface because he died in 1543, the year his great work was published.

From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin

Related Words

• foreword
• preamble
• prologue