preamble

UK: /ˈpriːæmb^əl/

US: /ˈpriˌæmbəl, priˈæm-/

US: (prē′am′bəl, prē am′-)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

pre•am•ble /ˈpriˌæmbəl, priˈæm-/   n. 

1. an introductory statement;
   preface:
   [countable] a short preamble before the main part of his speech.
   [uncountable] Without preamble, he launched into a vicious attack on her character.
2. Government the introductory part of a law, constitution, etc., declaring its intention:
   [countable] The preamble to the Constitution begins with the words "We the people.''

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

pre•am•ble  (prē′am′bəl, prē am′-), n. 

1. an introductory statement;
   preface;
   introduction.
2. Government the introductory part of a statute, deed, or the like, stating the reasons and intent of what follows.
3. a preliminary or introductory fact or circumstance:
   His childhood in the slums was a preamble to a life of crime.
4. Government (cap.) the introductory statement of the U.S. Constitution, setting forth the general principles of American government and beginning with the words, "We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union. …''

• Medieval Latin praeambulum, noun, nominal use of neuter of Late Latin praeambulus walking before. See pre-, amble
• Middle English 1350–1400

pre′am′bled, adj. 
Synonyms

• 1. opening, beginning; foreword, prologue, prelude.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

preamble / priːˈæmb^əl/ noun

1. a preliminary or introductory statement, esp attached to a statute or constitution setting forth its purpose
2. a preliminary or introductory conference, event, fact, etc

Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French préambule, from Late Latin praeambulum walking before, from Latin prae- before + ambulāre to walk