pre·lude
ˈprel-ˌyüd 
ˈprāl-;
ˈpre-ˌlüd,
ˈprā-;
sense 1 also
ˈprē-ˌlüd
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
preluded; preluding
: to give or serve as a prelude
especially
: to play a musical introduction
preluder
noun
Synonyms
Examples of prelude in a Sentence
Noun
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 on the Web
Damian Garde, STAT, 22 Nov. 2023
Twenty-five, in retrospect, was a touchingly small number—a gesture rather than a plan, a prelude to a dream rather than a dream realized.
—Yiyun Li, The New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2023
Lewis said this was possibly a prelude to the lawsuit.
—Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Aug. 2023
In fact, if past is prelude, the Iranian leadership likely views this war as an opportunity to achieve multiple objectives.
—Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2023
Deshon’s birthday usually is also the prelude to a wave of joyous family holidays – none of which will be the same again.
—Holly Yan, CNN, 27 Oct. 2023
In what’s often a prelude to a broader restructuring, the builder also hired advisers to review its capital structure and form a holistic solution after making last-minute bond interest payments last month.
—Bloomberg, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2023
Israel’s initial response was a complete siege on Gaza (which includes cutting off all electricity, water, food and fuel supplies), airstrikes, and the mobilization of some 300,000 reservists in what many regard as a prelude to a wider ground invasion.
—Yasmeen Serhan, TIME, 14 Oct. 2023
Amazon The whole of the history of civilization was a prelude, a mere warm-up, to the moment mankind invented Flamin' Hot Cheetos.
—Nena Farrell, WIRED, 11 Oct. 2023
Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 20 Aug. 2013
At a first Chicago appearance in seven years, and prelude to a festival-closing slot at Riot Fest this September, The Cure also showed its cuddlier side.
—Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2023
Over the past decade, in my experience coaching thousands of female entrepreneurs and sales professionals to achieve their personal visions for success, there are three basic questions that always prelude a clarity session together to lay the foundation of the individual’s success story.
—Yec, Forbes, 28 Apr. 2021
In Rome, Christian leaders incorporated the tradition as a way to prelude Lent, the 40-day fasting period between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday.
—Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 7 Feb. 2023
The launch will prelude a full opening sometime in January, ahead of Chinese New Year, according to the SFMTA.
—Ricardo Cano, San Francisco Chronicle, 20 Sep. 2022
The raucous musical spirit and activist bent of the MC5 was on the agenda at the cozy Detroit venue, as Kramer and his new bandmates kicked off the Heavy Lifting Tour, prelude to a fall album that will be first since 1971 to bear the MC5 name.
—Brian McCollum, Detroit Free Press, 6 May 2022
This poem seems positioned as a prolusion — his word — or prelude to set a mood of contemplation, to encourage a softness or stillness, a long view, for entering what follows.
—Nancy Lord, Anchorage Daily News, 30 Apr. 2022
Some J-Church riders, though, are wary that such a decision could prelude a permanent route change that keeps the line out of the subway.
—Ricardo Cano, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Nov. 2021
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Noun
On Twitter, aka X, there was little discussion of possible explanations — Gilead has a facility in Edmonton, perhaps someone wanted to catch an Oilers game — other than this being a definite prelude to a deal.
—Damian Garde, STAT, 22 Nov. 2023
Twenty-five, in retrospect, was a touchingly small number—a gesture rather than a plan, a prelude to a dream rather than a dream realized.
—Yiyun Li, The New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2023
Lewis said this was possibly a prelude to the lawsuit.
—Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Aug. 2023
In fact, if past is prelude, the Iranian leadership likely views this war as an opportunity to achieve multiple objectives.
—Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2023
Deshon’s birthday usually is also the prelude to a wave of joyous family holidays – none of which will be the same again.
—Holly Yan, CNN, 27 Oct. 2023
In what’s often a prelude to a broader restructuring, the builder also hired advisers to review its capital structure and form a holistic solution after making last-minute bond interest payments last month.
—Bloomberg, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2023
Israel’s initial response was a complete siege on Gaza (which includes cutting off all electricity, water, food and fuel supplies), airstrikes, and the mobilization of some 300,000 reservists in what many regard as a prelude to a wider ground invasion.
—Yasmeen Serhan, TIME, 14 Oct. 2023
Amazon The whole of the history of civilization was a prelude, a mere warm-up, to the moment mankind invented Flamin' Hot Cheetos.
—Nena Farrell, WIRED, 11 Oct. 2023
Verb
That, and the numerous MCU movies prior, was merely prelude to a monumental brawl against Thanos for all the marbles that may never be surpassed in sheer epicness.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 20 Aug. 2013
At a first Chicago appearance in seven years, and prelude to a festival-closing slot at Riot Fest this September, The Cure also showed its cuddlier side.
—Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2023
Over the past decade, in my experience coaching thousands of female entrepreneurs and sales professionals to achieve their personal visions for success, there are three basic questions that always prelude a clarity session together to lay the foundation of the individual’s success story.
—Yec, Forbes, 28 Apr. 2021
In Rome, Christian leaders incorporated the tradition as a way to prelude Lent, the 40-day fasting period between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday.
—Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 7 Feb. 2023
The launch will prelude a full opening sometime in January, ahead of Chinese New Year, according to the SFMTA.
—Ricardo Cano, San Francisco Chronicle, 20 Sep. 2022
The raucous musical spirit and activist bent of the MC5 was on the agenda at the cozy Detroit venue, as Kramer and his new bandmates kicked off the Heavy Lifting Tour, prelude to a fall album that will be first since 1971 to bear the MC5 name.
—Brian McCollum, Detroit Free Press, 6 May 2022
This poem seems positioned as a prolusion — his word — or prelude to set a mood of contemplation, to encourage a softness or stillness, a long view, for entering what follows.
—Nancy Lord, Anchorage Daily News, 30 Apr. 2022
Some J-Church riders, though, are wary that such a decision could prelude a permanent route change that keeps the line out of the subway.
—Ricardo Cano, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Nov. 2021
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prelude.' 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 French, from Medieval Latin praeludium, from Latin praeludere to play beforehand, from prae- + ludere to play — more at ludicrous
First Known Use
Noun
1561, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1632, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense
Phrases Containing prelude
Dictionary Entries Near prelude
Cite this Entry
“Prelude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prelude. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
prelude
1 of 2 noun
pre·lude
ˈprel-ˌ(y)üd
ˈprā-ˌl(y)üd
ˈprā-ˌl(y)üd
1
: something that comes before and prepares for the main or more important parts
the wind was a prelude to the storm
2
a
: a short musical introduction (as to an opera)
b
: a musical piece (as an organ solo) played at the beginning of a church service
prelude
2 of 2 verb
preluded; preluding
: to give, play, or serve as a prelude
More from Merriam-Webster on prelude
Nglish: Translation of prelude for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of prelude for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about prelude
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