prelude

1 of 2

verb

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

preluder

2 of 2

noun

prel·​ud·​er

-də(r)

plural -s

1

: one that preludes

2

: something that constitutes a prelude

Examples of prelude in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The Barrow Downs is all still basically prelude to the greater quest. —Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 25 Mar. 2026

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, 10 July 2025

What happened Monday night was past and prelude all at once. —Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025

With fashion week officially kicking off Thursday — but already preluded by several days of parties — Rowe shared her plan for the days ahead. —Kristen Tauer, WWD, 6 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

derivative of prelude entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

1632, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing prelude

• chorale prelude

Rhymes for prelude

• accrued
• allude
• collude
• conclude
• construed
• debuted
• delude
• elude
• endued
• ensued
• eschewed
• etude

Kids Definition

prelude

1 of 2 noun

pre·​lude ˈprel-ˌ(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