prequel

noun

pre·​quel ˈprē-kwəl How to pronounce prequel (audio)
: a work (such as a novel or a play) whose story precedes that of an earlier work
… the real payoff will be for the next Star Wars, an expected prequel to the previous three movies.Laurence Hooper

Examples of prequel in a Sentence

His next film will be a prequel to last year's hit movie.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Streaming numbers released by Nielsen last week showed fans are still watching the franchise, but only the originals and the prequels. Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026 That started a relationship that has yielded a slew of big hits, from Yellowstone and prequels 1883 and 1923 to Tulsa King, Landman, Marshals, The Madison and the upcoming Yellowstone spinoff Dutton Ranch. Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 14 May 2026 Her new book is based on over 200 hours of interviews, and delves into the making of the Big Bang prequel series — from its challenging inception to its occasionally-taboo storylines to its heart-wrenching 2024 finale. Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026 The prequel to ‘The House of David’ series debuts on Amazon Prime on Thursday. Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for prequel

Word History

Etymology

pre- + -quel (as in sequel)

First Known Use

1922, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prequel was in 1922

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Cite this Entry

“Prequel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prequel. Accessed 19 May. 2026.

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