preface

1 of 2

noun

pref·​ace ˈpre-fəs How to pronounce preface (audio)
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

preface

2 of 2

verb

prefaced; prefacing

intransitive verb

: to make introductory remarks

transitive verb

1
: to say or write as preface
a note prefaced to the manuscript
2
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

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
Noun
Half a decade later, and half a decade after the settlers left and the farm shares were sold off, Tugwell penned a preface for Banfield’s account of Casa Grande. Amity Shlaes, National Review, 10 Jan. 2024 In a gorgeous preface to the script, Shanley reflects on the era in which the play takes place. Jim McDermott, Vulture, 2 Feb. 2024 In a preface, Cavendish invokes fiction as the plainest and most peaceable genre for the expression of wit. Merve Emre, The New Yorker, 29 Jan. 2024 The preface begins at 6 p.m., followed by the awards ceremony at 7:30 p.m. Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 28 Jan. 2024 In the preface of the new book by vaccine expert and pro-science crusader Peter Hotez, there are several acknowledgments of a kind that may never have appeared before in a book like it. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2023 With a foreword by Gabriela Hearst and a preface by Edward Enninful, this book is a photographed compilation of her most iconic looks, peppered with personal remembrance notes from the likes of Michael Kors, Tory Burch, and Calvin Klein. The Editors, Town & Country, 6 Sep. 2023 As a preface, three veteran players are not on the Cowboys roster because of a procedural mechanics. Michael Gehlken, Dallas News, 29 Aug. 2023 His preface ends with a pair of disembodied eyes, magnified behind the lenses of large glasses. Becca Rothfeld, Washington Post, 13 July 2023
Verb
There was a time when members of Congress would routinely preface their critiques of tech CEOs by thanking them for their innovative products and the jobs their companies have created. Will Oremus, Washington Post, 1 Feb. 2024 The collection was prefaced by the cinematic film, celebrating the beauty of imperfection– which the supermodel wore her classic straight, long and black hairstyle in– with her on-screen look translating onto the front row. India Espy-Jones, Essence, 24 Jan. 2024 Every red-carpet appearance is prefaced by a multitude of beauty treatments, but perhaps the most important are those performed on the face. Hannah Coates, Vogue, 17 Jan. 2024 The march, which begins near the Washington Monument and concludes outside the Supreme Court, will be prefaced with a rally near the monument, and there will be a gala dinner taking place in the evening. Asher Notheis, Washington Examiner, 13 Jan. 2024 Margrethe acceded to the throne at age 31 in 1972 following the sudden death of her father King Frederik IX, and referred to both her record reign and back surgery last winter in prefacing the news. Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 2 Jan. 2024 Each segment was prefaced with a selective battery of statistics — on crime, gas prices, education, homelessness — that painted California as just a hair’s breadth from capsizing and sliding ingloriously into the ocean. Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2023 The performance was prefaced by a heartfelt introduction speech by one of Bush’s other major fans: Big Boi. Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 4 Nov. 2023 The royal family prefaced the Queen’s personal note on International Day of Older Persons with context around her cheeky comment. Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 2 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'preface.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin prephatia, alteration of Latin praefation-, praefatio foreword, from praefari to say beforehand, from prae- pre- + fari to say — more at ban entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1619, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of preface was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near preface

Cite this Entry

“Preface.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preface. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

preface

1 of 2 noun
pref·​ace ˈpref-əs How to pronounce preface (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on preface

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