preface

noun pref·ace \ ˈpre-fəs \

|Updated on: 22 Jul 2018

Definition of preface

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 : approach, preliminary

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Examples of preface in a Sentence

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 of preface from the Web

Many texts weren’t just straight translations, but also included prefaces by notable intellectuals that explained the book’s relevance.

— amanda laugesen, Smithsonian, "This Cold War-Era Publishing House Wanted To Share American Values With the World," 13 July 2018
The royal wedding service started the Right Reverend David Conner reading the preface.

— caroline hallemann, Town & Country, "Prince Harry Gave Meghan Markle the Sweetest Look When their Wedding Reading Mentioned Children," 20 May 2018
The preface by the Dean of Windsor kicks things off.

— bryan alexander, USA TODAY, "See the official program for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's royal wedding," 18 May 2018
At the other extreme, the exquisite silence of the plates in lavish monographs is sometimes protected by only the slimmest prefaces or afterwords.

— geoff dyer, New York Times, "The Magic of Books Where Photography Meets Essays," 18 Apr. 2018
The line, written as part of Robinson's preface to his autobiography, was penned in 1972.

— steve gardner, USA TODAY, "Colin Kaepernick tweets Jackie Robinson quote on national anthem," 15 Apr. 2018
In the preface, Langlands tells the story of how his strimmer—a motored tool to trim grass—broke.

— josephine livingstone, The New Republic, "Does Crafting Make People Happier?," 9 Apr. 2018
Shakespeare's preface framing the shrew-taming comedy as a play within a play is reconceived by Freed.

— charles mcnulty, latimes.com, "South Coast Rep's 'Shrew!' trips along the rutted road of Shakespearean updates," 2 Apr. 2018
This preface consists of a letter written by a recurring character namedJonas Dryasdust, who recounts a conversation with the character known as the Author of Waverley, Scott’s curmudgeonly alter-ego.

— christopher j. scalia, National Review, "Must Dramatic Art Be Historically Accurate?," 10 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'preface.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of preface

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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