prelude

play

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
2a : 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 oratoriob : an opening voluntaryc : a separate concert piece usually for piano or orchestra and based entirely on a short motif

See prelude defined for English-language learners

See prelude defined for kids

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

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
But it is designed as a prelude to talks that would consider both American interests in denuclearization and North Korea’s proposal for a peace regime that would replace the Korean War armistice.

— stephan haggard, The Atlantic, "North Korea and the Trouble With China," 6 July 2017
Shocked but stalwart, Sams pulled out his NDA as a prelude to getting down to business.

— jimmy maher, Ars Technica, "The complete history of the IBM PC, part one: The deal of the century," 30 June 2017
The daylong event was a prelude to a more extensive program being planned for 2018.

— carolyn kellogg, latimes.com, "Books: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, David Sedaris and more," 24 June 2017
Business, hoping to avoid getting slammed by Brexit’s full impact in 2019, is making a fresh push for a lengthy transition (enraging the Tory hard-liners, who see it as a prelude to betraying the referendum mandate).

— geoffrey smith, Fortune, "Everything You Need to Know About the Chaos in U.K. Government," 22 June 2017
But the compilation was just a prelude to her masterwork.

— erick trickey, Smithsonian, "The Woman Whose Words Inflamed the American Revolution," 21 June 2017
The market is both the best way to wind down the week or the perfect prelude to One Fine Day in the town.

— craig lyons, chicagotribune.com, "Griffith: A mix of new, old places to eat, shop and relax," 13 June 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

Other Music Terms

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

prelude

verb pre·lude

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

preluder

noun

First Known Use of prelude

1632

PRELUDE Defined for English Language Learners

prelude

play

noun

Definition of prelude for English Language Learners

: something that comes before and leads to something else
: a short piece of music that introduces a longer piece

PRELUDE Defined for Kids

prelude

play

noun pre·lude \ˈprel-ˌyüd, ˈprā-ˌlüd\

Definition of prelude for Students

1 : something that comes before and prepares for the main or more important parts
2 : a short piece of music played at the beginning of something (as an opera or church service)