1
as in prelude
a performance, activity, or event that precedes and sets the stage for the main event
the round of hors d'oeuvres was merely the preamble to an evening of lavish feasting
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2
as in introduction
a short section (as of a book) that leads to or explains the main part
an insightful analysis of the preamble to the Constitution of the United States
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Recent Examples of preamble
Unless needed for clarity, avoid long preambles.
—
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2025
The story of the backchannel through Belarus, in other words, could become the preamble to Ukraine’s capitulation.
—Simon Shuster, Time, 8 Aug. 2025
Lewis, meanwhile, was finishing what would turn out to be his last essay for the Quarterly, the preamble for the issue on Energy, originally scheduled to appear in the summer of 2023.
—Literary Hub, 13 June 2025
The celebrity round was the preamble to the 45th Ryder Cup, kicking off Friday with Europe defending its crown from the 2023 tournament.
—Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for preamble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preamble
Noun
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Known as Kristallnacht, it is considered a prelude to the Holocaust.—
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The week-long extravaganza, which includes events in Los Angeles, as well as content across Paramount platforms, will act as a fittingly extravagant and entertaining prelude to the 83rd Golden Globes ceremony.—
Noun
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That introduction came after the club announced Monday that Raphael Wicky has been hired to the head coaching position on a 2 1/2-year contract.—
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This week begins Malinin’s introduction to the greater sports audience, including those who tune in once a cycle.—
Noun
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Is it reduced to yet another fill-in-the-blank preliminary to a national title game in some super-duper-they-look-alike stadium?—
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Two weeks after Miss Jamaica, Dr. Gabrielle Henry, suffered a shocking fall during the Miss Universe preliminaries in Bangkok, the organization is offering an update on her condition.—
Noun
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In this edition, translators Ana Martínez and Heather Hennes add a preface and explanatory notes that give additional context to the story.—
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And to preface, these are optional.—
Noun
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The book of the same name brings to life Talley’s impact on global culture, with a foreword from Paula Wallace, president and founder of SCAD.—
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Sherman-Palladino recently penned the foreword to Kelly Bishop’s memoir The Third Gilmore Girl.—
Cite this Entry
“Preamble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preamble. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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