prelude
noun
pre·lude
| \ ˈprel-ˌyüd
, ˈprāl-; ˈpre-ˌlüd, ˈprā-; sense 1 also ˈprē-ˌlüd
\
, ˈprāl-; ˈpre-ˌlüd, ˈprā-; sense 1 also ˈprē-ˌlüd
\
Definition of prelude
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: an introductory performance, action, or event preceding and preparing for the principal or a more important matter
2a
: a musical section or movement introducing the theme or chief subject (as of a fugue or suite) or serving as an introduction to an opera or oratorio
b
: an opening voluntary
c
: a separate concert piece usually for piano or orchestra and based entirely on a short motif
prelude
verb
preluded;
preluding
Definition of prelude (Entry 2 of 2)
: to give or serve as a prelude
especially
: to play a musical introduction
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Synonyms for prelude
Synonyms: Noun
curtain-raiser, overture, preamble, preliminary, prologue (also prolog), warm-up
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Examples of prelude in a Sentence
Noun
an eruption of sectarian violence that proved to be the prelude to all-out civil war the musical had a brief prelude to get the audience in the proper moodRecent Examples on the Web: Noun
In the back of my mind perhaps this move is a prelude to moving Meyers Leonard, who also acts as a floor-spacer. — Ira Winderman, sun-sentinel.com, "ASK IRA: Will hindsight create an Okpala-vs.-Bol Bol comparison for Heat?," 5 Sep. 2019 The movie, which does not yet have a release date, is a prelude to the Drama Drama band, which will launch in the winter of 2020. — Selma Fonseca, Billboard, "'Drama Drama': Watch the Trailer for the Anti-Bullying Girl Group Movie," 23 Aug. 2019 All of this was prelude, however, to Trump’s triple Lindy of beclowning. — Daniel W. Drezner, The Denver Post, "Guest Commentary: An especially effective day in the beclowning of the Trump White House," 21 Aug. 2019 But hunting is more about the prelude to the shot than the shot itself. — Steve Meyer, Anchorage Daily News, "Well-heeled Brits have the ‘Glorious Twelfth,’ but Alaska bird hunters have it better," 14 Aug. 2019 But the paragraph above sure sounds like prelude to a new policy on gun sales. — Alan Murray, Fortune, "Walmart Grapples With Guns: CEO Daily," 8 Aug. 2019 Ordinary Kashmiris have feared the measures would be a prelude to intensifying an ongoing crackdown against anti-India dissenters. — Washington Post, "Troops lock down Kashmir as India votes to strip its status," 7 Aug. 2019 Some observers believe that Putin’s visit could be a prelude to a papal visit to Russia. — Elizabeth Llorente, Fox News, "Pope Francis and Putin meet at Vatican, discuss Syria, Ukraine," 5 July 2019 That compares to the $1.2 trillion of bonds backed by home loans sold in 2005 and 2006, during the prelude to the credit crisis. — Cecile Gutscher, Houston Chronicle, "Subprime auto defaults infect some bond pools, yet sales boom," 3 Feb. 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Weather The first half took more than 4 hours and was preluded by a lightning delay. — Jake Shapiro, The Denver Post, "The Colorado Rapids were delayed 222 minutes: 5 things we learned from a wet loss to New England," 5 July 2019 In a move that was expected and could prelude further transactions, the Bulls on Thursday announced the team waived guard Sean Kilpatrick. — Malika Andrews, chicagotribune.com, "Bulls waive guard Sean Kilpatick," 12 July 2018 Wildfires raged on two ends of California Saturday, killing one person, destroying scores of homes and reminding residents of last year’s historic destruction, if not preluding a repeat. — Avi Selk, Washington Post, "One dead as wildfires burn on both ends of California," 7 July 2018 Stephen Loveridge’s documentary, Matangi/Maya/M.I.A., appears to start filling in that script, preluding the Grammys performance with footage of the rapper and producer’s breezy home life in Los Angeles. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, "Listening to M.I.A., Finally," 30 Mar. 2018 Italy, meanwhile, have not secured a victory since October, where their 1-0 win over Albania preluded Gli Azzurri's World Cup play-off defeat at the hands of Sweden the following month. — SI.com, "England vs Italy Preview: Recent Form, Team News, Prediction & More," 26 Mar. 2018 The 6-3 vote for the contract exposed the ongoing riff between the board that was temporarily patched on March 5 when the board voted unanimously to hire Brumley, despite the contentious debate that preluded the approval. — Littice Bacon-blood, NOLA.com, "New Jefferson schools superintendent $269,000 salary approved," 13 Mar. 2018 Such steps are typically preludes to a board fight, which Elliott has until March to launch for Hess’s 2018 annual meeting. — David Benoit And Bradley Olson, WSJ, "Elliott Preps for Potential Fight With Hess, Seeking CEO Ouster," 14 Dec. 2017 The Saints have got this season's Premier League campaign off to a solid start, with a goalless draw to a gritty West Bromwich Albion preluding their 3-2 victory over West Ham last Saturday. — SI.com, "Southampton Striker Charlie Austin Rejoices in Strong Return to Form Following Long-Term Injury," 21 Aug. 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'prelude.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for prelude
prelude
noun
English Language Learners Definition of prelude
: something that comes before and leads to something else
: a short piece of music that introduces a longer piece
See the full definition for prelude in the English Language Learners Dictionary
prelude
noun
pre·lude
| \ ˈprel-ˌyüd
, ˈprā-ˌlüd\
, ˈprā-ˌlüd\
Kids Definition of prelude
1
: something that comes before and prepares for the main or more important parts
2
: a short piece of music played at the beginning of something (as an opera or church service)