Definition of prolusionnext
as in introduction
a short section (as of a book) that leads to or explains the main part in her prolusion she sketches the religious, cultural and political milieu in which gnosticism developed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of prolusion This poem seems positioned as a prolusion — his word — or prelude to set a mood of contemplation, to encourage a softness or stillness, a long view, for entering what follows. Nancy Lord, Anchorage Daily News, 30 Apr. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prolusion
Noun
  • Grealish’s introduction in the 66th minute offers alternatives.
    George Caulkin, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • If this is somebody’s introduction to ESPHome, the first ten minutes count.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 5 Sep. 2026
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
Noun
  • Published by Curvebender in honor of Martin’s centenary, the book features a new foreword written by another knight of the turntable, Sir Paul McCartney.
    Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026
  • There’s one anecdote in the cookbook’s foreword that Tiedemann wrestled with sharing.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prolusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prolusion. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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