prelude

American  

[prel-yood, preyl-, prey-lood, pree-] / ˈprɛl yud, ˈpreɪl-, ˈpreɪ lud, ˈpri- /

noun

1. a preliminary to an action, event, condition, or work of broader scope and higher importance.

   Synonyms:

   beginning, opening, introduction

2. any action, event, comment, etc. that precedes something else.

3. Music.

   1. a relatively short, independent instrumental composition, free in form and resembling an improvisation.

   2. a piece that precedes a more important movement.

   3. the overture to an opera.

   4. an independent piece, of moderate length, sometimes used as an introduction to a fugue.

   5. music opening a church service; an introductory voluntary.

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verb (used with object)

preluded, preluding

1. to serve as a prelude or introduction to.

2. to introduce by a prelude.

3. to play as a prelude.

verb (used without object)

preluded, preluding

1. to serve as a prelude.

2. to give a prelude.

3. to play a prelude.

prelude British  

/ prɪˈljuːsərɪ, prɪˈljuːʒən, prɪˈljuːsɪv, ˈprɛljuːd, prɪˈljuːdə, ˈprɛljʊdə /

noun

1. 1. a piece of music that precedes a fugue, or forms the first movement of a suite, or an introduction to an act in an opera, etc

   2. (esp for piano) a self-contained piece of music

2. something serving as an introduction or preceding event, occurrence, etc

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verb

1. to serve as a prelude to (something)

2. (tr) to introduce by a prelude

Other Word Forms

• preluder noun
• preludial adjective
• preludious adjective
• preludiously adverb
• prelusion noun
• prelusive adjective
• prelusively adverb
• unpreluded adjective

Etymology

Origin of prelude

1555–65; (noun) < Medieval Latin praelūdium, equivalent to prae- pre- + -lūdium play; compare Latin lūdus play; (v.) < Latin praelūdere to play beforehand

Example Sentences

Rate checks are considered a prelude to actual intervention and involve central banks contacting commercial lenders to get price quotes for currency trades.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

It was a striking prelude to "Body to Body", the album's first full track, interwoven with Korea's most iconic folk song and the album's namesake, Arirang.

From BBC • Mar. 21, 2026

The ceremony is a prelude to the annual L.A.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2026

A year later he won the World Cup crystal globe in the slalom as a prelude to his split with the Norwegian set-up.

From Barron's • Feb. 14, 2026

She insists I lay on my back for three years crying for Leah to stay close and play with me, until finally one day without prelude I rolled off the couch and limped after her.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Related Words

• introduction
• prologue