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preamble

noun
pre·​am·​ble | \ ˈprē-ˌam-bəl How to pronounce preamble (audio) , prē-ˈam-\

Definition of preamble

1 : an introductory statement especially : the introductory part of a constitution or statute that usually states the reasons for and intent of the law
2 : an introductory fact or circumstance especially : one indicating what is to follow
Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about preamble

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Examples of preamble in a Sentence

The preamble to the U.S. Constitution begins by saying “We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, …”. His early travels were just a preamble to his later adventures.

Recent Examples on the Web

 The preambles on Friday include a concert by the Satuit Band at St. Mary’s Parish Hall, 14 Edward Foster Road, at 7:30 p.m., shops staying open until 9 p.m. for special events and sales, and luminaria along the coastline beginning at dusk. — L. Kim Tan, BostonGlobe.com, "Summertime, when the livin’ is busy," 28 July 2019 The curator’s preamble and annotations are missing. — Ali Kazimi, Quartz India, "A Canadian artist is keeping the embers of Sikh separatism alive with false equivalences," 27 June 2019 In many countries of the world the preamble makes clear that the constitution is based on religion. — Sean Illing, Vox, "Why the Constitution is an inherently progressive document," 18 Dec. 2018 Gabriel Rucker, whose restaurants Le Pigeon and Canard are about a mile away, read a preamble and then opened the only West Coast chapter of Ben’s Friends, an alcoholism and addiction support group for those in the restaurant industry. — Amy Scattergood, San Diego Union-Tribune, "How the restaurant industry is tackling its substance abuse problem," 6 June 2019 This motion is a precursor to making history as this week's robotic arm test is a preamble to the mission’s ultimate goal—when the spacecraft will descend onto an asteroid's surface to collect a sample. — Joe Pappalardo, Popular Mechanics, "Meet the Spacecraft That's About to Play Tag with an Asteroid," 16 Nov. 2018 After her father, King Felipe, read the Constitution's preamble, the Princess stepped up to the podium. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Spain's 13-Year-Old Princess Leonor Makes Her First Public Speech," 31 Oct. 2018 Unfortunately her claim was preamble to a typically vague, noncommittal GM answer to an admirably precise question. — Holman W. Jenkins, WSJ, "Detroit vs. Protectionism?," 4 Sep. 2018 Non-contentious provisions, including the preamble, would be tackled first before the touchy issues, including whether the pact should be legally binding and its geographic scope, to prevent the talks from stalling early, another diplomat said. — Jim Gomez And Annabelle Liang, Fox News, "Asia diplomats press N. Korea to deliver on anti-nuke vows," 4 Aug. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'preamble.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of preamble

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for preamble

Middle English, from Middle French preambule, from Medieval Latin preambulum, from Late Latin, neuter of praeambulus walking in front of, from Latin prae- + ambulare to walk

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More Definitions for preamble

preamble

noun
How to pronounce preamble (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of preamble

somewhat formal
: a statement that is made at the beginning of something (such as a legal document) and usually gives the reasons for the parts that follow
: something that comes before and leads to something else

See the full definition for preamble in the English Language Learners Dictionary

preamble

noun
pre·​am·​ble | \ ˈprē-ˌam-bəl How to pronounce preamble (audio) \

Kids Definition of preamble

: an introduction (as to a law) that often gives the reasons for what follows

preamble

noun
pre·​am·​ble | \ ˈprē-ˌam-bəl, prē-ˈam- How to pronounce preamble (audio) \

Legal Definition of preamble

: an introductory statement (as to a contract) especially : the introductory part of a constitution or statute that usually states the reasons for and intent of the law

Note: While preambles do not state law and therefore are not judicially enforceable, they are used to determine legislative intent when interpreting statutes.

History and Etymology for preamble

Middle French preambule, from Medieval Latin preambulum, from Late Latin, neuter of preambulus walking in front of, from Latin prae- + ambulare to walk

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