1
often capitalized
: a variable doxology beginning with the Sursum Corda and ending with the Sanctus in traditional eucharistic liturgies
2
: the introductory remarks of a speaker or author
3
prefaced; prefacing
: to make introductory remarks
1
: to say or write as preface
a note prefaced to the manuscript
3
: to introduce by or begin with a preface
4
: to stand in front of
a porch prefaces the entrance
5
: to be a preliminary to
prefacer
noun
Synonyms
Examples of preface in a Sentence
Noun
The book's preface was written by the author.
a noted critic has written a short preface to her story to explain some of the historical background
Recent Examples on the Web
Alison Habens, JSTOR Daily, 31 Oct. 2024
In her preface to a reissued edition of the novel, Segal remembers being housed in a camp during a frigid English winter.
—Cressida Leyshon, The New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2024
Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024
On Monday, Whoopi Goldberg, 68, prefaced Hostin’s segment by saying that Trump released a statement disassociating himself from Hinchcliffe’s comments.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 29 Oct. 2024
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Noun
The muses promised fame and fortune to artists who followed them, but are rarely mentioned by name in the prologues and prefaces of artworks today.
—Alison Habens, JSTOR Daily, 31 Oct. 2024
In her preface to a reissued edition of the novel, Segal remembers being housed in a camp during a frigid English winter.
—Cressida Leyshon, The New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2024
Verb
While Duran Duran will host their Halloween blowout at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 31, the band has prefaced it with a short East Coast tour this month, including shows in Allentown, Pennsylvania; Atlantic City, New Jersey; and on Oct. 28, CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore.
Need a break?
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024
On Monday, Whoopi Goldberg, 68, prefaced Hostin’s segment by saying that Trump released a statement disassociating himself from Hinchcliffe’s comments.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for preface
Articles Related to preface
Dictionary Entries Near preface
Cite this Entry
“Preface.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preface. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
preface
1 of 2 noun
pref·ace
ˈpref-əs 
: a section that introduces a book or a speech
preface
2 of 2 verb
prefaced; prefacing
: to introduce by or begin with a preface
prefaced the talk with a funny story
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