prelude

noun pre·lude \ ˈprel-ˌyüd , ˈprāl- ; ˈpre-ˌlüd , ˈprā- ; sense 1 also ˈprē-ˌlüd \

Definition of prelude

1 :an introductory performance, action, or event preceding and preparing for the principal or a more important matter

2 a :a musical section or movement introducing the theme or chief subject (as of a fugue or suite) or serving as an introduction to an opera or oratorio

b :an opening voluntary

c :a separate concert piece usually for piano or orchestra and based entirely on a short motif

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Examples of prelude in a Sentence

an eruption of sectarian violence that proved to be the prelude to all-out civil war
the musical had a brief prelude to get the audience in the proper mood

Recent Examples of prelude from the Web

The U.N. Human Rights Council voted to approve the database of companies last year, over objections from the United States and Israel, which describe the list as a prelude to anti-Israel boycotts.

— james hohmann, Washington Post, "The Daily 202: A dozen key lines from Trump’s Afghanistan speech," 22 Aug. 2017
At the fall party congress, Xi is expected to deliver a keynote address as a prelude to having his take on theory written into the party constitution during the event, analysts believe.

— christopher bodeen, The Seattle Times, "China’s Xi looks to party congress to cement authority," 16 Aug. 2017
Nobody remembers it now, except as a prelude to the fun, but that 2014 team spent most of the season stinking.

— sam mellinger, kansascity, "Mellinger Minutes: Chiefs game, Royals’ chances, Colin Kaepernick, politics, KU, K-State and Mizzou," 15 Aug. 2017
Freeman’s, the venerable Chestnut Street auction house, is throwing a party for young Philadelphians on Friday night, offering free booze and snacks as a prelude to auctioning off some intriguing modern art and collectibles next week.

— erin arvedlund, Philly.com, "Freeman's hosts millennial-style auction party, with free booze and fine art," 4 Aug. 2017
CNN's New Day wondered about that and the future of Jeff Sessions, with Republicans nervous about Sessions being moved elsewhere as a prelude to dumping Robert Mueller as special counsel.

— vanityfair.com, "Donald Trump’s Bark Loses Its Bite," 31 July 2017
Fresh off their initial success, Kamen and Sestack have already begun planning regional competitions as a prelude to next year’s FIRST Global competition in Mexico City.

— zahra ahmad, Science | AAAS, "Building a robot is one of many skills these students have mastered," 20 July 2017
Such investigations are often the prelude to a whitewash.

— The Economist, "A corruption probe threatens to undo Pakistan’s prime minister," 13 July 2017
On Monday in Miami, as a prelude to the All-Star Game the next night, a parade of major leaguers will step to the plate, swing hard and try to lift baseballs into the seats.

— tyler kepner, New York Times, "This Season’s First Half Was a Home Run Derby," 10 July 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of prelude

Middle French, from Medieval Latin praeludium, from Latin praeludere to play beforehand, from prae- + ludere to play — more at ludicrous

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1561

See Words from the same year

prelude Synonyms

Synonyms

curtain-raiser, overture, preamble, preliminary, prologue (also prolog), warm-up

Antonyms

epilogue (also epilog)

Related Words

countdown, run-up [chiefly British]; lead-in; kickoff, start

Near Antonyms

envoi (or envoy), postscript; aftermath; cessation, close, closing, conclusion, end, finale, finish, stop, termination

Other Music Terms

cacophony, chorister, concerto, counterpoint, madrigal, obbligato, presto, refrain, riff, segue

prelude

verb

Definition of prelude

preluded; preluding

transitive verb

1 :to serve as a prelude to

2 :to play as a prelude

intransitive verb

:to give or serve as a prelude; especially :to play a musical introduction

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preluder

noun

Recent Examples of prelude from the Web

The Saints have got this season's Premier League campaign off to a solid start, with a goalless draw to a gritty West Bromwich Albion preluding their 3-2 victory over West Ham last Saturday.

— SI.com, "Southampton Striker Charlie Austin Rejoices in Strong Return to Form Following Long-Term Injury," 21 Aug. 2017