preamble

[ pree-am-buhl, pree-am- ]

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

/ 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 Words From

• preambled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of preamble¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of preamble¹

C14: from Old French préambule, from Late Latin praeambulum walking before, from Latin prae- before + ambulāre to walk

Example Sentences

In the preamble to Tuesday, Rodgers outlined his goals for the night.

From BBC

The Hanley moment happened almost in slow motion, but of course, it needed the preamble of a rousing Scotland comeback to set the scene for its full horror.

From BBC

That day the king also bowed to demands that he ratify the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, which became the preamble to the first written constitution of France in 1791.

From Los Angeles Times

In an eloquent eulogy bookended by the poetry of Czeslaw Milosz and Langston Hughes, he exhorted Americans to “practice the politics of the preamble to the Constitution” as the “only way” to honor Lewis’ life.

From Los Angeles Times

But before the storytelling even starts, the actors in this National Theater production set about making a safe space with a preamble whose clear language and kind tone are not the least bit soppy.

From New York Times

Related Words

• preface