proem

noun

ˈprō-ˌem How to pronounce proem (audio)
Definition of proemnext
as in introduction
a short section (as of a book) that leads to or explains the main part the proem promises what the book does not deliver: a totally new interpretation of the French Revolution

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for proem
  1. introduction
  2. preface
  3. foreword
Noun
  • That love began with an important technological introduction.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • Since its introduction, CFM has delivered more than 10,000 LEAP engines worldwide, with the fleet accumulating over 100 million engine flight hours.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 19 July 2026
Definition of introduction
Noun
  • What could have been a throwaway nibble instead becomes a thought-through, gripping preface that sets up what’s to come.
    — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • In the preface of her new book, MJ Corey offers a note of apology for pouring so much energy into analyzing a family that’s famously famous for being famous, and for little else, said Megan Garber in The Atlantic.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 10 June 2026
Definition of preface
Noun
  • Weber also called out former Bachelor host Chris Harrison for promoting (and writing the foreword to) LaPlaca’s memoir.
    — Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 1 July 2026
  • Featuring a foreword by Keelan-Chaffins herself, this picture book for readers ages 6 and up highlights the significant role that children and everyday citizens play in fighting for equal rights for everyone.
    — Diane Debrovner, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026
Definition of foreword
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.

Browse Nearby Words

products
proem
proems
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Proem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proem. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of dog days

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
child-detective
Spot the Misspelled Word July 2026 Those little red underlines can't help you now...
See All