introduction

noun

in·​tro·​duc·​tion ˌin-trə-ˈdək-shən 

1

: something that introduces: such as

a(1)

: a part of a book or treatise preliminary to the main portion

(2)

: a preliminary treatise or course of study

b

: a short introductory musical passage

2

: the act or process of introducing : the state of being introduced

3

: a putting in : insertion

4

: something introduced

specifically : a new or exotic plant or animal

Synonyms

• exordium
• foreword
• intro
• preamble
• preface
• prelude
• proem
• prologue
• prolog
• prolusion

Examples of introduction in a Sentence

the introduction of telephone service to the area

Since its introduction last year, over a million copies of the software have been sold.

the introduction of evidence at the trial

the introduction of a new topic for conversation

the introduction of the bill to Congress

She told the audience, by way of introduction, that the research was completed a year ago.

the introduction of an Asian plant species to America

After a brief introduction, the performer took the stage.

Recent Examples on the Web

When her name was called out last as part of the Sky’s pregame introductions, the franchise-record crowd of 19,496 gave a roaring ovation for the player who helped bring the team its only championship, along with her more than 2,000 assists and 3,700 points. —Ben Pickman, New York Times, 8 June 2025

My introduction into modern gaming was through Wolfenstein (1992) and the original Doom (1993). —Joshua Lamb, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025

Or would that have been too confusing in the middle of Eve’s own introduction? —Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 6 June 2025

Editor's Note: This recipe was contributed by Sera Cuni; the introduction was written by Alana Al-Hatlani. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 6 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English introduccioun act of introducing, from Anglo-French introduction, from Latin introduction-, introductio, from introducere

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for introduction

• coproduction
• deconstruction
• liposuction
• misconstruction
• postproduction
• preconstruction
• preproduction
• reconstruction
• reproduction
• abduction
• adduction
• conduction

Kids Definition

introduction

noun

in·​tro·​duc·​tion ˌin-trə-ˈdək-shən 

1

a

: the action of introducing

b

: something introduced

2

: the part of a book that leads up to and explains what will be found in the main part

3

: a book for beginners in a subject

Medical Definition

introduction

noun

in·​tro·​duc·​tion ˌin-trə-ˈdək-shən 

: an action of putting in or inserting

introduction of contrast material through the catheter

—Scientific American Medicine

introduce

-ˈd(y)üs 

transitive verb

introduced; introducing