as in introduction
a short section (as of a book) that leads to or explains the main part
a noted critic has written a short preface to her story to explain some of the historical background
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Recent Examples of preface
The book is handsome, the notes extensive, and Benjamin’s crisp preface is thoughtful and sincere.
—
Joy Williams, Harper's Magazine, 2 May 2024
Read below for an exclusive excerpt from the preface of Inheriting Magic.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for preface 
Joy Williams, Harper's Magazine, 2 May 2024
Read below for an exclusive excerpt from the preface of Inheriting Magic.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for preface
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Cite this Entry
“Preface.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preface. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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