PREAMBLE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does preamble mean? 

• PREAMBLE (noun)
  The noun PREAMBLE has 1 sense:

1. a preliminary introduction to a statute or constitution (usually explaining its purpose)

  Familiarity information: PREAMBLE used as a noun is very rare.

• PREAMBLE (verb)
  The verb PREAMBLE has 1 sense:

1. make a preliminary introduction, usually to a formal document

  Familiarity information: PREAMBLE used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PREAMBLE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A preliminary introduction to a statute or constitution (usually explaining its purpose)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("preamble" is a kind of...):

introduction (the first section of a communication)

Holonyms ("preamble" is a part of...):

document; papers; written document (writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature))

Derivation:

preamble (make a preliminary introduction, usually to a formal document)

• PREAMBLE (verb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Make a preliminary introduction, usually to a formal document

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "preamble" is one way to...):

introduce; precede; preface; premise (furnish with a preface or introduction)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Derivation:

preamble (a preliminary introduction to a statute or constitution (usually explaining its purpose))

 Context examples 

“Tush! tush! Don Martin!” interrupted the prince, who had been beating the ground with his foot impatiently during this stately preamble.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I’ll plunge into the matter without further preamble.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)