preamble

1 a performance, activity, or event that precedes and sets the stage for the main event the round of hors d'oeuvres was merely the preamble to an evening of lavish feasting Synonyms curtain-raiser, overture, prelude, preliminary, prologue (also prolog), warm-upRelated Words countdown, run-up [chiefly British]; lead-in; kickoff, start

2 a short section (as of a book) that leads to or explains the main part an insightful analysis of the preamble to the Constitution of the United States Synonyms exordium, foreword, intro, introduction, preface, prelude, proem, prologue (also prolog), prolusionRelated Words beginning, commencement, initiation, opening, origin, origination, outset, startNear Antonyms envoi (or envoy), postscript; aftermath; cessation, close, closing, conclusion, end, finale, finish, stop, terminationAntonyms epilogue (also epilog)