preface

1 of 2

noun

pref·​ace ˈpre-fəs 

1

often capitalized : a variable doxology beginning with the Sursum Corda and ending with the Sanctus in traditional eucharistic liturgies

2

: the introductory remarks of a speaker or author

3

: approach, preliminary

preface

2 of 2

verb

prefaced; prefacing

intransitive verb

: to make introductory remarks

transitive verb

1

: to say or write as preface

a note prefaced to the manuscript

2

: precede, herald

3

: to introduce by or begin with a preface

4

: to stand in front of

a porch prefaces the entrance

5

: to be a preliminary to

prefacer noun

Synonyms

Noun

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

Examples of preface in a Sentence

Noun

The book's preface was written by the author.

a noted critic has written a short preface to her story to explain some of the historical background

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Inception Startups Program at Nvidia Israel, in his preface to the SNC report. —Gil Press, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024

Injuries weren’t the Lions’ only problem Let’s preface this section by acknowledging that the Lions’ defense was decimated by injuries before the game and then lost starting corner Amik Robertson early in the contest. —Ted Nguyen, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025

Verb

Its own take on the genre is breezy and mostly low-stakes; even the deadly shootout that opens the pilot is prefaced by some fizzy, funny banter over whether a hockey mask disguise reads more Heat or Friday the 13th. —Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Feb. 2025

The exhibition catalogue is prefaced by a poetic yet sharply descriptive text by Giulia Ruberti, which gives just one version of the stories that some of the works might depict, with their protagonists named by single initials. —Michael Bracewell, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin prephatia, alteration of Latin praefation-, praefatio foreword, from praefari to say beforehand, from prae- pre- + fari to say — more at ban entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1619, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Kids Definition

preface

1 of 2 noun

pref·​ace ˈpref-əs 

: a section that introduces a book or a speech

preface

2 of 2 verb

prefaced; prefacing

: to introduce by or begin with a preface

prefaced the talk with a funny story