prelude

1 of 2

noun

pre·​lude ˈprel-ˌyüd How to pronounce prelude (audio)
ˈprāl-;
ˈpre-ˌlüd,
ˈprā-;
sense 1 also
ˈprē-ˌlüd How to pronounce prelude (audio)
1
: an introductory performance, action, or event preceding and preparing for the principal or a more important matter
2
a
: a musical section or movement introducing the theme or chief subject (as of a fugue or suite) or serving as an introduction to an opera or oratorio
b
: an opening voluntary
c
: a separate concert piece usually for piano or orchestra and based entirely on a short motif

prelude

2 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

Examples of prelude in a Sentence

Noun an eruption of sectarian violence that proved to be the prelude to all-out civil war the musical had a brief prelude to get the audience in the proper mood
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The documents are a prelude to Friday’s meeting of independent agency advisers, who will discuss the data and hear out each company’s case before making a recommendation on expanding the medicines’ approval. Damian Garde Reprints, STAT, 14 Mar. 2024 Usually, the gesture is directed outward at a beloved, perhaps even as a prelude to a kiss. Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2024 But idling is often a prelude to a well being orphaned, and after a few months of inactivity, the chance that a well never produces again rises significantly. Mark Olalde, ProPublica, 22 Feb. 2024 So, in 2020, when tens of thousands of quakes started rocking the peninsula and the ground began swelling, scientists suspected that the commotion might be a prelude to a volcanic performance eight centuries in the making. Robin George Andrews, Quanta Magazine, 20 Feb. 2024 In 2023, the annual prelude of America’s national pastime drew nearly 1.6 million fans to the Cactus League’s 216 games, according to the Cactus League Association. Georgann Yara, The Arizona Republic, 19 Feb. 2024 But based on what is happening in Washington now, that migration was just a prelude to what is coming. Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024 Kevin Merida, who is Black, resigned this month as a prelude of what was to come. Curtis Bunn, NBC News, 24 Jan. 2024 Special for IndyStar If past is prelude, Chloe Dygert will win a gold medal in Paris. David Woods, The Indianapolis Star, 8 Jan. 2024
Verb
In Rome, Christian leaders incorporated the tradition as a way to prelude Lent, when people would often fast between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 23 Feb. 2024 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, 20 Aug. 2013 At a first Chicago appearance in seven years, and prelude to a festival-closing slot at Riot Fest this September, The Cure also showed its cuddlier side. Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2023 Over the past decade, in my experience coaching thousands of female entrepreneurs and sales professionals to achieve their personal visions for success, there are three basic questions that always prelude a clarity session together to lay the foundation of the individual’s success story. Yec, Forbes, 28 Apr. 2021 In Rome, Christian leaders incorporated the tradition as a way to prelude Lent, the 40-day fasting period between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 7 Feb. 2023 The launch will prelude a full opening sometime in January, ahead of Chinese New Year, according to the SFMTA. Ricardo Cano, San Francisco Chronicle, 20 Sep. 2022 The raucous musical spirit and activist bent of the MC5 was on the agenda at the cozy Detroit venue, as Kramer and his new bandmates kicked off the Heavy Lifting Tour, prelude to a fall album that will be first since 1971 to bear the MC5 name. Brian McCollum, Detroit Free Press, 6 May 2022 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

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prelude.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle French, from Medieval Latin praeludium, from Latin praeludere to play beforehand, from prae- + ludere to play — more at ludicrous

First Known Use

Noun

1561, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1632, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of prelude was in 1561

Dictionary Entries Near prelude

Cite this Entry

“Prelude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prelude. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

prelude

1 of 2 noun
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

More from Merriam-Webster on prelude

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!