preamblepre‧am‧ble /priˈæmbəl $ ˈpriːæmbəl/ noun [countable, uncountable] 
the preamble to the American Constitution Harding gave him the news without preamble (=without saying anything else before it).
WORD ORIGINpreamble
Origin:
1300-1400 French préambule, from Late Latin praeambulus ‘walking in front’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- There's a big difference between the document's lengthy preamble and the actual content.
- Even religion and politics were subjects he covered in his preamble in relation to local inhabitants such as George Fox.
- Given such preambles, it seems natural to adopt a teleological approach to interpretation.
- I gave him the bad news without preamble.
- No need to go on about the band in this preamble.
- The first paragraph of your speech after the preamble should be designed to hold everyone's attention.
- We broadly agree with the analysis outlined in the preamble to Threshold 21.
- Wilcock, with assistance, wrote the preamble.
THESAURUS
a written or spoken statement at the beginning of a book, speech, or meeting, giving a general idea of what it is about: · After a brief introduction by the chairman, the meeting began.· The author outlines his methods of research in the introduction.
a short piece of writing at the beginning of a book that says what the book is about or the reason for writing it: · In the preface, he explains his motives for returning to the subject of Middle Eastern politics.
a short introduction to a book or report, usually written by someone who is not the author: · Greene wrote the foreword to Suzmann’s book.
an introduction to a piece of writing, especially a play or a long poem: · the prologue to Shakespeare’s ‘Henry V’· The poem begins with a brief prologue.
a statement at the beginning of something, especially an official document, which explains what it is about: · the Preamble to the US Constitution
Longman Language Activatorsomething that comes at the beginning of a book, speech etc also intro informal a short explanation, description, or discussion at the beginning of a book, piece of music etc: · After an introduction by the chairperson, we'll get on with the day's discussions.· None of us know anything about this subject, so we'd appreciate it if you give us a brief intro before you start.· The drummer gave a four-bar intro before the other musicians joined in.introduction to: · In the introduction to her fascinating book, O'Brien explains how she first became interested in music.
an introduction to a speech or piece of writing, especially one that is boring or too long: · There's a big difference between the document's lengthy preamble and the actual content.
an introduction to a piece of writing, for example a play or a long poem: · The brief prologue sets the scene for what is to follow.prologue to: · In his prologue to 'Faust', Goethe said some very interesting things about art.
a part of a book that comes before the main part and explains what it is about: · This edition contains a new preface by the author.preface to: · Murray agreed to write the preface to Baker's book, as a favor to his old friend.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Harding gave him the news without preamble (=without saying anything else before it).
formal a statement at the beginning of a book, document, or talk, explaining what it is aboutpreamble to Harding gave him the news without preamble (=without saying anything else before it). the preamble to the American Constitution Harding gave him the news without preamble (=without saying anything else before it).