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

Explanation

A prelude is an introductory action, event, or performance that comes before a bigger or more momentous one. It is made of up the prefix pre- meaning "before," and the Latin root ludere meaning "play." Speakers of old school French and Latin understood a prelude to be the notes that they would play or sing to warm up or test an instrument. Today preludes are more like introductions than practice, but you can still think of them as small warm ups to the main events. Preludes are often used in classical music, as well as in novels, to set the tone for the rest of the orchestral piece or story.

Example Sentences

It was a prelude to the chaos and calamity that was to come this season.

From BBC • Mar. 22, 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

MLB officials have cited that fan concern repeatedly over the last year, prelude to an expected push for a salary cap.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 12, 2026

It’s a generous, messy prelude to the restaurant’s three-course, $145 prix fixe menu.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026

In the opening prelude of Parsifal’s third act, the music shifts and slides around, avoiding settling on one key or chord for more than one beat.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

Related Words

• introduction
• prologue