a preliminary to an action, event, condition, or work of broader scope and higher importance.
any action, event, comment, etc. that precedes something else.
Music.
a relatively short, independent instrumental composition, free in form and resembling an improvisation.
a piece that precedes a more important movement.
the overture to an opera.
an independent piece, of moderate length, sometimes used as an introduction to a fugue.
music opening a church service; an introductory voluntary.
verb (used with object),prel·ud·ed,prel·ud·ing.
to serve as a prelude or introduction to.
to introduce by a prelude.
to play as a prelude.
verb (used without object),prel·ud·ed,prel·ud·ing.
to serve as a prelude.
to give a prelude.
to play a prelude.
Origin of prelude
1555–65; (noun) <Medieval Latin praelūdium, equivalent to prae-pre- + -lūdium play; compare Latin lūdus play; (v.) <Latin praelūdere to play beforehand
SYNONYMS FOR prelude
1 introduction, opening, beginning.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR prelude ON THESAURUS.COM
OTHER WORDS FROM prelude
prel·ud·er,nounpre·lu·di·al[pri-loo-dee-uhl], /prɪˈlu di əl/, pre·lu·di·ous,adjectivepre·lu·di·ous·ly,adverbun·prel·ud·ed,adjective
Perhaps as a prelude to this attempt, researchers just published a number of new studies about the geochemistry of Bennu today in the journals Science and Science Advances, providing some of the biggest revelations to date.
Asteroid Bennu may have been home to ancient water flows|Neel Patel|October 8, 2020|MIT Technology Review
It may indicate that the Kremlin sees the current intensive confrontation … as a prelude to an inevitable conflict.
Spy Wars: The Hidden Foe America Must Defeat to Save Its Democracy|Charu Kasturi|September 13, 2020|Ozy
There was an entryway near here to another courtyard, itself a prelude to the heart of the main temple.
Fighting Back With Faith: Inside the Yezidis’ Iraqi Temple|Michael Luongo|August 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This could be a prelude to peace talks—or intensified fighting.
Shakeup In the Ukraine Rebel High Command|Jamie Dettmer|August 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We should hope this only sounds like a prelude to an intervention.
Here's What It's Like to Fight Vitali Klitschko, Ukraine’s Revolutionary Champ|Michael Daly|February 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Marguerite hoped it would be the prelude to a book she wanted to write, and asked if I could get it published somewhere.
Oswald’s Mother Was a Thoroughly Disagreeable Piece of Work|Steve North|November 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
As is, they now look ominously instead like that monopoly's prelude and farcical first act.
The Obamacare Death Spiral|David Frum|November 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Current topics, too, are well worthy constant study, and these can be used as a sort of prelude to any regular program.
Woman's Club Work and Programs|Caroline French Benton
I was always conscious of sounds in Nature which my ears could not hear, that I caught but a prelude to a strain.
A History of American Literature Since 1870|Fred Lewis Pattee
The explosion may be only a trick to, empty the camp, as a prelude to further mischief.
The Young Engineers in Arizona|H. Irving Hancock
For Clark the capture of Vincennes was to be a prelude to taking Detroit.
The Road to Independence: Virginia 1763-1783|Virginia State Dept. of Education
This discovery was a prelude to a certain and horrible death.
A Journey to the Centre of the Earth|Jules Verne
British Dictionary definitions for prelude
prelude
/ (ˈprɛljuːd) /
noun
a piece of music that precedes a fugue, or forms the first movement of a suite, or an introduction to an act in an opera, etc
(esp for piano) a self-contained piece of music
something serving as an introduction or preceding event, occurrence, etc
C16: (n) from Medieval Latin praelūdium, from prae before + -lūdium entertainment, from Latin lūdus play; (vb) from Late Latin praelūdere to play beforehand, rehearse, from lūdere to play