prelude

5 definitions • 2 examples

something that comes before a more important event or action that introduces or prepares for it:

The changes are seen as a prelude to wide-ranging reforms.

a short piece of music that introduces the main work

a short independent piece of music written especially for the piano

something that comes before a more important event or action and introduces or prepares for it:

The dinner was only a prelude to a much larger meeting.

a piece of music that introduces a longer piece of music, or a short piece of music written esp. for the piano