introduction

noun

in·​tro·​duc·​tion ˌin-trə-ˈdək-shən 

1

: something that introduces: such as

a(1)

: a part of a book or treatise preliminary to the main portion

(2)

: a preliminary treatise or course of study

b

: a short introductory musical passage

2

: the act or process of introducing : the state of being introduced

3

: a putting in : insertion

4

: something introduced

specifically : a new or exotic plant or animal

Synonyms of introduction

• preface
• foreword
• intro
• prologue

Examples of introduction in a Sentence

the introduction of telephone service to the area

Since its introduction last year, over a million copies of the software have been sold.

the introduction of evidence at the trial

the introduction of a new topic for conversation

the introduction of the bill to Congress

She told the audience, by way of introduction, that the research was completed a year ago.

the introduction of an Asian plant species to America

After a brief introduction, the performer took the stage.

Recent Examples on the Web

After a few words of introduction, Alexis started asking Graciela and me questions about our creative processes, about the importance of surprises in art, about the relationship between photographs and stories, about memory and mourning and pain. —Literary Hub, 29 May 2026

Alfonsi was in the audience at the awards show, with Pelley giving her a shout-out from the stage during his introduction of Campos. —Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 28 May 2026

Now the musical stage adaptation — with a book by Batra, music by Daniel and Patrick Lazour, aka The Lazours, and lyrics by Batra and The Lazours — is getting its grand introduction at Berkeley, at a time when its story about a heartwarming human connection could not be more relevant. —Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 28 May 2026

Culminating the past 12 years of innovation since the company’s founding and now surpassing more than 5 million global users, the company has launched the Oura Ring 5, starting at $399, with both new hardware and software, new app updates and the introduction of a new wireless charging case, $99. —Kanika Talwar, Footwear News, 28 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English introduccioun act of introducing, from Anglo-French introduction, from Latin introduction-, introductio, from introducere

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for introduction

• coproduction
• deconstruction
• liposuction
• misconstruction
• postproduction
• preconstruction
• preproduction
• reconstruction
• reproduction
• abduction
• adduction
• conduction

Kids Definition

introduction

noun

in·​tro·​duc·​tion ˌin-trə-ˈdək-shən 

1

a

: the action of introducing

b

: something introduced

2

: the part of a book that leads up to and explains what will be found in the main part

3

: a book for beginners in a subject

Medical Definition

introduction

noun

in·​tro·​duc·​tion ˌin-trə-ˈdək-shən 

: an action of putting in or inserting

introduction of contrast material through the catheter

—Scientific American Medicine

introduce

-ˈd(y)üs 

transitive verb

introduced; introducing