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
The application of the first productive use rule to fugitive methane and biogas that was floated in the preamble was unpopular with the industry, as evidenced by the comment letters.
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Marie Sapirie, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
Salvation Army's exit from that store proved to be a preamble to the redevelopment of the entire strip mall for a car dealership.
—Jim Riccioli, Journal Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2024
Well, yes, but that may become just the preamble to the agency’s real story.
—Matt Reynolds, WIRED, 2 Oct. 2024
An overall win in North Carolina’s Umstead 100-miler that summer became her preamble for one of running’s most daunting races, Colorado’s Hardrock 100.
—Grayson Haver Currin, Outside Online, 22 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for preamble 
Marie Sapirie, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
Salvation Army's exit from that store proved to be a preamble to the redevelopment of the entire strip mall for a car dealership.
—Jim Riccioli, Journal Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2024
Well, yes, but that may become just the preamble to the agency’s real story.
—Matt Reynolds, WIRED, 2 Oct. 2024
An overall win in North Carolina’s Umstead 100-miler that summer became her preamble for one of running’s most daunting races, Colorado’s Hardrock 100.
—Grayson Haver Currin, Outside Online, 22 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for preamble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preamble
Noun
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But the devastation of 2017 was only a prelude to an even graver year.CalMatters, The Mercury News, 4 Dec. 2024
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The Ravens’ game Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium against the Philadelphia Eagles might be a prelude to Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans in February.Mike Preston, Baltimore Sun, 30 Nov. 2024
Noun
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There was a head-spinning number of perfume introductions around the globe this year.Jennifer Weil, WWD, 16 Dec. 2024
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The Animal Humane Society says that the best introductions are done outdoors, in a neutral space so neither dog is overwhelmed.Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The Southern Section held its track and field preliminaries at four sites around Southern California on Saturday, and sophomore Brian Bonner of Valencia High continued his rise to prominence.Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2024
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In 1988: Greg Louganis won the gold medal in the 3-meter springboard at the Seoul Olympics one day after hitting his head on the diving board during the preliminaries.Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 21 Sep. 2024
Noun
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Read below for an exclusive excerpt from the preface of Inheriting Magic.Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024
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The muses promised fame and fortune to artists who followed them, but are rarely mentioned by name in the prologues and prefaces of artworks today.Alison Habens, JSTOR Daily, 31 Oct. 2024
Noun
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The collection also comes with a coffee-table sized book of liner notes by Vivien Goldman, a foreword by Elton John and remembrances from Calello, Jackson Browne, Clive Davis, Lou Adler, John Sebastian and others.Gary Graff, Billboard, 9 Dec. 2024
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Her whole foreword centered on kinship and that was so meaningful to me.Janine Rubenstein, People.com, 3 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Preamble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preamble. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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