preface

noun pref·ace \ ˈpre-fəs \

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

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

See preface defined for English-language learners

See preface defined for kids

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

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
Acting as her mentor, Mailer suggested she focus on writing and bolstered her ego as a preface to the bedroom.

— stu bykofsky, Philly.com, "Norman Mailer's Norristown mistress: I've been defamed | Stu Bykofsky," 22 Mar. 2018
In the preface to the policy, Mattis appeared to confirm that sentiment.

— paul sonne, Washington Post, "How Mattis changed his mind on nuclear weapons," 5 Feb. 2018
Offertory gifts were presented, the offertory prayer was said, as was the preface, thanksgiving at the table, the Lord's Prayer, communion, the blessing and dismissal.

— carol kovach, cleveland.com, "Good Soil Lutheran Ministries sprouts from consolidation of Faith, Our Savior's congregations," 26 Feb. 2018
Get our daily newsletter Her preface is a diatribe against the poverty of intellectual debate in America, and anyone wedded unquestioningly to a creed—whether Marxism, capitalism, Freudianism or Christianity—will read this book with discomfort.

— The Economist, "A novelist opinesA defence of the humanities and humankind’s “natural grandeur”," 22 Feb. 2018
Scott addressed concerns about his historical inaccuracy in the preface to his 1822 novel Peveril of the Peak, and his arguments are relevant to Noonan’s column.

— 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

See Words from the same year