: a work (such as a novel or a play) whose story precedes that of an earlier work
… the real payoff will be for the next Star Wars, an expected prequel to the previous three movies.—
Laurence Hooper
Laurence HooperExamples of prequel in a Sentence
His next film will be a prequel to last year's hit movie.
Recent Examples on the Web
The deadline that will accompany the NHL’s Olympic roster freeze, which hits at noon Pacific Time on Wednesday, shouldn’t be viewed as a prequel for the actual trade deadline.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
The studio is also behind a series interpretation of another classic horror franchise in Peacock’s Friday the 13th prequel Crystal Lake.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
This prequel to Hallmark’s historical drama series, When Calls the Heart, will take viewers back in time to follow the early settlers of the community that will one day become the beloved frontier town of Hope Valley.
—Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
During that time, between eight and 10 of the films released each year were a sequel, prequel or remake.
—Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prequel
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.
Thomas Drance, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
The studio is also behind a series interpretation of another classic horror franchise in Peacock’s Friday the 13th prequel Crystal Lake.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
This prequel to Hallmark’s historical drama series, When Calls the Heart, will take viewers back in time to follow the early settlers of the community that will one day become the beloved frontier town of Hope Valley.
—Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
During that time, between eight and 10 of the films released each year were a sequel, prequel or remake.
—Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prequel
Cite this Entry
“Prequel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prequel. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
