- a statement written as an introduction to a literary or other work, typically explaining its scope, intention, method, etc; foreword
- anything introductory
- to furnish with a preface
- to serve as a preface to
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
pref•ace /ˈprɛfɪs/USA pronunciation
n., v., -aced, -ac•ing.
n. [countable]
v. [~ + object]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026n. [countable]
- a statement in the front of a book by the author or editor, setting forth the book's purpose, etc.:The preface occupied a mere one page.
- an introductory part, as of a speech.
v. [~ + object]
- to provide with a preface:He prefaced his speech with remarks about his opponent.
pref•ace
(pref′is),USA pronunciation n., v., -aced, -ac•ing.
n.
v.t.
pref′ac•er, n.
n.
- a preliminary statement in a book by the book's author or editor, setting forth its purpose and scope, expressing acknowledgment of assistance from others, etc.
- an introductory part, as of a speech.
- something preliminary or introductory:The meeting was the preface to an alliance.
- Religion[Eccles.]a prayer of thanksgiving, the introduction to the canon of the Mass, ending with the Sanctus.
v.t.
- to provide with or introduce by a preface.
- to serve as a preface to.
- Medieval Latin prēfātia, for Latin praefātiō a saying beforehand, equivalent. to praefāt(us) (past participle of praefārī to say beforehand; see pre-, fate) + -iōn- -ion
- Middle French
- Middle English 1350–1400
- 1. See introduction. 2. 3. preamble, prologue, prolegomena.
- 1. appendix. 2. 3. epilogue.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
preface /ˈprɛfɪs/ n