The introductionto a book or talk is the part that comes at the beginning and tells you what the rest of the book or talk is about.
Ellen Malos, in her introduction to 'The Politics of Housework', provides a summaryof the debates. [+ to]
Synonyms: opening, prelude, preface, lead-in More Synonyms of introduction
2. countable noun [oft in names]
If you refer to a book as an introductionto a particular subject, you mean that it explains the basic facts about that subject.
On balance, the book is a friendly, down-to-earth introduction to physics. [+ to]
...'Psychology and Language: An Introduction to Psycholinguistics'.
Synonyms: description, report, account, explanation More Synonyms of introduction
3. countable noun
You can refer to a new product as an introduction when it becomes available in a place for the first time.
There are two among their recent introductions that have greatly impressed me.
4. See also introduce
5.
See needs no introduction
More Synonyms of introduction
introduction in British English
(ˌɪntrəˈdʌkʃən)
noun
1.
the act of introducing or fact of being introduced
2.
a presentation of one person to another or others
3.
a means of presenting a person to another person, group, etc, such as a letter of introduction or reference
4.
a preliminary part, as of a book, speech, etc
5. music
a.
an instrumental passage preceding the entry of a soloist, choir, etc
b.
an opening passage in a movement or composition that precedes the main material
6.
something that has been or is introduced, esp something that is not native to an area,country, etc
7.
a basic or elementary work of instruction, reference, etc
8. logic
(qualified by the name of an operation) a syntactic rule specifying the conditions under which a formula or statement containing the specified operator may be derived from others
conjunction-introduction
negation-introduction
introduction in American English
(ˌɪntrəˈdʌkʃən)
noun
1.
an introducing or being introduced
2.
anything introduced, or brought into use, knowledge, or fashion
3.
anything that introduces, or prepares the way for
; specif.,
a.
the preliminary section of a book, often having material considered essential to an understanding of the main text
b.
the preliminary part of a speech, treatise, etc.
c.
an opening section of a musical composition
d.
a preliminary guide or text
4.
the formal presentation of one person to another, to an audience, to society, etc.
SYNONYMY NOTE: introduction, in strict usage, refers to the preliminary section of a book, etc. that explainsand leads into the subject proper; , preface refers to a statement preliminary to a book, written by the author or editor andexplaining the purpose, plan, or preparation of the work; the preface may also includeacknowledgments for help or for permissions granted for use of previously publishedmaterial; , foreword is a brief preface written by someone other than the author; , preamble refers to a formal, but usually brief, introduction to a constitution, treaty, etc.;, prologue applies to the preliminary section as of a play or poem, serving as an introductionand, in the play, frequently spoken by one of the characters
OPPOSITES: conclusion, epilogue
Word origin
ME introduccion < MFr introduction < L introductio
Examples of 'introduction' in a sentence
introduction
Ten young dancers passed through a series of actions presumably inspired by a short film introduction of spinning and blurry but pretty colours and shapes.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Manufacturers have a responsibility, therefore, to halt the introduction of these products.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He wants me to review it before it goes to print and to write the short introduction.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It may be the introduction or one of the options to explore the biblical data.
Christianity Today (2000)
Your wisest friend makes the introductions and this time gets it right.
The Sun (2016)
It is the introduction to this book that is most impressive and useful.
The Times Literary Supplement (2012)
Parties were just places for cursory introductions.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
They would need time to deliver their letters of introduction and arrange meetings.
Gavin Weightman THE FROZEN WATER TRADE (2002)
The course provides an introduction to basic cooking.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
This was my first real introduction to pain.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Another middle way may involve the introduction of fully informed consent.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Rugby league was ahead of its time with the introduction of a salary cap a decade ago.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
She collected letters of introduction and researched assignments.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Both cameras were relatively much more expensive at the time of their introduction.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Let us return to some thoughts about the nature of history sketched in the introduction to this book.
Marius, Richard A Short Guide to Writing About History (1995)
Cambridge needs no introduction as one of the world's most famous university towns.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
This is my first introduction to the public and it's fun.
The Sun (2010)
Her judgements are carefully argued, and her study will doubtless become a basic introduction to the artist.
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
Warm summer sun and rain helps, but innovation and new product introductions are also encouraging a new interest in gardening.
The Sun (2013)
As this is simply a short introduction to the subject of social administration, there will not be space for much detail or depth.
Brown, Muriel & Payne Sarah Introduction to Social Administration in Britain (1990)
An epic, melodramatic introduction to one of world cinema's true masters.
The Sun (2006)
Miss Darcy and her brother appeared, and this formidable introduction took place.
Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice (1813)
This follows the government's recent introduction of an additional 5% stamp duty for buyers on their first purchase.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Word lists with
introduction
parts of a book
In other languages
introduction
British English: introduction /ˌɪntrəˈdʌkʃən/ NOUN
The introduction of something is the act of causing it to enter a place or exist in a system for the first time.
...the introduction of a computerized payment system.
American English: introduction
Arabic: مُقَدِّمَةٌ
Brazilian Portuguese: introdução
Chinese: 介绍
Croatian: uvođenje
Czech: úvod knihy
Danish: introduktion
Dutch: introductie
European Spanish: introducción
Finnish: esittely toisilleen tai johdanto
French: présentation amis
German: Bekanntmachen
Greek: σύσταση γνωριμία
Italian: introduzione
Japanese: 紹介
Korean: 소개 프레젠테이션
Norwegian: introduksjon
Polish: wprowadzenie
European Portuguese: introdução
Romanian: introducere
Russian: вступление
Latin American Spanish: introducción
Swedish: introduktion
Thai: การแนะนำ
Turkish: tanıtma
Ukrainian: вступ
Vietnamese: sự giới thiệu
Chinese translation of 'introduction'
introduction
(ɪntrəˈdʌkʃən)
n
(u)[of new idea, measure, technology]引进(進) (yǐnjìn)
China's introduction to British ballet中国(國)首次接触(觸)英国(國)芭蕾 (Zhōngguó shǒucì jiēchù Yīngguó bāléi)
(presentation of basic facts)
an introduction to linguistics语(語)言学(學)入门(門) (yǔyánxué rùmén)
letter of introduction介绍(紹)信 (jièshàoxìn)
1 (noun)
Definition
the act of introducing something or someone
He is remembered for the introduction of the moving assembly line.
Synonyms
launch
the launch of a campaign to restore law and order
institution
the institution of the forty-hour week
establishment
discussions to explore the establishment of diplomatic relations
start
She demanded to know why she had not been told from the start.
opening
the opening of peace talks
beginning
Think of this as a new beginning.
pioneering
presentation
initiation
inauguration
They later attended the inauguration of the University.
induction
an induction course for new members
commencement
All applicants should be at least 16 years of age at the commencement of this course.
instigation
Opposites
completion
,
elimination
,
termination
2 (noun)
Definition
a presentation of one person to another or others
With considerable shyness she performed the introductions.
Synonyms
presentation
the white dress she had worn for her presentation at Court
meeting
Thirty-seven years after our first meeting I was back in her studio.
audience
The Prime Minister will seek an audience with the Queen today.
formality
3 (noun)
Definition
a preliminary part, as of a book or musical composition
In her introduction to the book she provides a summary of the ideas.
Synonyms
opening
prelude
the prelude to his book of poems
preface
the preface to the English edition of the novel
lead-in
preliminaries
overture
the William Tell Overture
preamble
the principles contained in the preamble to the Chinese constitution
foreword
the foreword to this very special cookery book
prologue
The prologue to the novel is written in the form of a newspaper account.
intro (informal)
commencement
opening remarks
proem
opening passage
prolegomena
prolegomenon
exordium
Opposites
end
,
conclusion
,
epilogue
4 (noun)
Her introduction to parliament could have been easier.
Synonyms
debut
This young player has his international debut next week.
initiation
This was my initiation into the peace movement.
inauguration
baptism
The new members face a tough baptism against Leeds.
first acquaintance
5 (noun)
Definition
a book that explains the basic facts about a particular subject to a beginner
The book is a friendly, helpful introduction to physics.
Synonyms
description
He gave a description of the surgery he was about to perform.
report
a full report of what happened here tonight
account
I gave a detailed account of what had happened that night.
explanation
his lucid explanation of the mysteries of cricket
outline
an outline of a plan to reduce the country's national debt
sketch
I had a basic sketch of a plan.
6 (noun)
the introduction of air bubbles into the veins
Synonyms
insertion
the first experiment involving the insertion of a new gene
addition
It was completely refurbished with the addition of a picnic site.
injection
An injection of cash is needed to fund some of these projects.
interpolation
The interpolation was inserted soon after the text was finished.
Opposites
withdrawal
,
removal
,
extraction
Additional synonyms
in the sense of account
Definition
a report or description
I gave a detailed account of what had happened that night.
Synonyms
description,
report,
record,
story,
history,
detail,
statement,
relation,
version,
tale,
explanation,
narrative,
chronicle,
portrayal,
recital,
depiction,
narration
in the sense of addition
Definition
the act of adding
It was completely refurbished with the addition of a picnic site.
Synonyms
inclusion,
adding,
increasing,
extension,
attachment,
adjoining,
insertion,
incorporation,
annexation,
accession,
affixing,
augmentation
in the sense of audience
Definition
a formal interview
The Prime Minister will seek an audience with the Queen today.
Synonyms
interview,
meeting,
hearing,
exchange,
reception,
consultation
Synonyms of 'introduction'
introduction
Explore 'introduction' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of baptism
The new members face a tough baptism against Leeds.
Synonyms
initiation,
beginning,
debut,
introduction,
admission,
dedication,
inauguration,
induction,
inception,
rite of passage,
commencement,
investiture,
baptism of fire,
instatement
in the sense of beginning
Definition
a start
Think of this as a new beginning.
Synonyms
start,
opening,
break (informal),
chance,
source,
opportunity,
birth,
origin,
introduction,
outset,
starting point,
onset,
overture,
initiation,
inauguration,
inception,
commencement,
opening move
in the sense of commencement
Definition
the beginning
All applicants should be at least 16 years of age at the commencement of this course.
Synonyms
beginning,
start,
opening,
launch,
birth,
origin,
dawn (literary),
outset,
onset,
initiation,
inauguration,
inception,
embarkation
in the sense of establishment
Definition
the act of establishing or state of being established
discussions to explore the establishment of diplomatic relations
Synonyms
creation,
founding,
setting up,
foundation,
institution,
organization,
formation,
installation,
inauguration,
enactment
in the sense of exordium
Synonyms
introduction,
opening,
beginning,
prelude,
preface,
preamble,
foreword,
prologue,
opening remarks,
proem,
prolegomenon
in the sense of explanation
Definition
a detailed account or description
his lucid explanation of the mysteries of cricket
Synonyms
description,
report,
definition,
demonstration,
teaching,
resolution,
interpretation,
illustration,
clarification,
exposition,
simplification,
explication,
elucidation
in the sense of foreword
Definition
an introductory statement to a book
the foreword to this very special cookery book
Synonyms
introduction,
preliminary,
preface,
preamble,
prologue,
prolegomenon
in the sense of inauguration
They later attended the inauguration of the University.
Synonyms
opening,
launch,
birth,
inception,
commencement
in the sense of induction
Definition
a formal introduction or entry into an office or position
an induction course for new members
Synonyms
installation,
institution,
introduction,
initiation,
inauguration,
investiture
in the sense of initiation
This was my initiation into the peace movement.
Synonyms
entrance,
debut,
introduction,
admission,
inauguration,
induction,
inception,
enrolment,
investiture,
baptism of fire,
instatement
Additional synonyms
in the sense of injection
An injection of cash is needed to fund some of these projects.
Synonyms
introduction,
investment,
insertion,
advancement,
dose,
infusion,
interjection
in the sense of institution
Definition
an instituting or being instituted
the institution of the forty-hour week
Synonyms
creation,
introduction,
establishment,
investment,
debut,
foundation,
formation,
installation,
initiation,
inauguration,
enactment,
inception,
commencement,
investiture
in the sense of interpolation
The interpolation was inserted soon after the text was finished.
Synonyms
insertion,
addition,
aside,
introduction,
insert,
interjection,
intercalation
in the sense of meeting
Definition
an act of coming together
Thirty-seven years after our first meeting I was back in her studio.
Synonyms
encounter,
introduction,
confrontation,
engagement,
rendezvous,
tryst,
assignation
in the sense of outline
Definition
a drawing showing only the external lines of an object
an outline of a plan to reduce the country's national debt
Synonyms
draft,
plan,
drawing,
frame,
tracing,
rough,
framework,
sketch,
skeleton,
layout,
delineation,
preliminary form
in the sense of overture
Definition
a piece of orchestral music played at the beginning of an opera, oratorio, ballet, musical comedy, or film, often containing the main musical themes of the work
the William Tell Overture
Synonyms
prelude,
opening,
introduction,
introductory movement
in the sense of preamble
Definition
an introduction that comes before something spoken or written
the principles contained in the preamble to the Chinese constitution
Synonyms
introduction,
prelude,
preface,
foreword,
overture,
opening move,
proem,
prolegomenon,
exordium,
opening statement or remarks
in the sense of preface
Definition
anything introductory
the preface to the English edition of the novel
Synonyms
introduction,
preliminary,
prelude,
preamble,
foreword,
prologue,
proem,
prolegomenon,
exordium
in the sense of prelude
the prelude to his book of poems
Synonyms
foreword,
preface,
preamble,
prologue,
intro (informal),
proem,
prolegomenon,
exordium
in the sense of prologue
Definition
an event that comes before another
The prologue to the novel is written in the form of a newspaper account.