as in introduction
a short section (as of a book) that leads to or explains the main part
a noted critic has written a short preface to her story to explain some of the historical background
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Recent Examples of preface
In his preface of the American Legion’s Junior Baseball for 1938 program, Chaillaux noted that 500,000 boys participated in Legion ball.
—
Bill Swank, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Colbert opened his Monday night broadcast with a preface in light of Reiner’s death, as well as the shootings at Bondi Beach and Brown University.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 16 Dec. 2025
This excerpt includes the book’s preface and the lyrics and commentaries for six songs.
—John Darnielle, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2025
International execs participating on a Red Sea Souk panel on ‘Futureproofing our Industry’, steered by Library Pictures International CEO David Taghioff, shared their thoughts on the deal as a preface to the main topic of the discussion.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 6 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preface
Bill Swank, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Colbert opened his Monday night broadcast with a preface in light of Reiner’s death, as well as the shootings at Bondi Beach and Brown University.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 16 Dec. 2025
This excerpt includes the book’s preface and the lyrics and commentaries for six songs.
—John Darnielle, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2025
International execs participating on a Red Sea Souk panel on ‘Futureproofing our Industry’, steered by Library Pictures International CEO David Taghioff, shared their thoughts on the deal as a preface to the main topic of the discussion.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 6 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preface
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preface
Noun
-
Fans serenaded Saiss, who now plays for Qatari side Al Sadd, and showed their appreciation for Jimenez throughout the game on Sunday, even when the Mexico international was simply warming up before his second-half introduction.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
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At the entrance, a shelf displays ceramics made by local craftspeople, each piece accompanied by an introduction to the creative who made it.—
Bridget Mills-Powell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 May 2026
Noun
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His former roles include FBI Special Agent and SWAT Team member; Deputy Director of the California Office of Homeland Security under Arnold Schwarzenegger, who provides a foreword in the memoir; and Chief of Homeland Security and Intelligence for the Los Angeles World Airports Police Department.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
21 Apr. 2026
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What’s a bigger flex than Kim Kardashian writing the foreword to your first book?—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The backstory Nay Palad’s prologue has so many twists and turns; a book has been written about it (look up Not For Sale by the resort’s Belgian-German founder and former professional football player Robert Dekeyser).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 May 2026
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For the single take prologue, Pawlikowski kept sculpting it with Diehl, taking things out, putting them back in, to reach the right length and cadence.—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preface.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preface. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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