prelude

1 of 2

noun

pre·​lude ˈprel-ˌyüd 

ˈprāl-;

ˈpre-ˌlüd,

ˈprā-;

sense 1 also

ˈprē-ˌlüd 

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

Synonyms

Noun

• curtain-raiser
• overture
• preamble
• preliminary
• prologue
• prolog
• warm-up

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 altcoin rally observed since November appears to be a prelude to a bigger altcoin season in 2025. —Marie Poteriaieva, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024

If past is prelude, Trump’s resulting approach will likely be highly disruptive—especially since some of his goals are mutually incompatible. —Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2024

Verb

Related Articles While discussing the federal indictment against Jeffries, Smith and Jacobson, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern district of New York Breon Price mentioned how a media report preluded the investigation. —Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 28 Oct. 2024

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, 12 June 2024

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

Phrases Containing prelude

• chorale prelude

Kids Definition

prelude

1 of 2 noun

pre·​lude ˈprel-ˌ(y)üd  ˈprā-ˌl(y)üd 

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