noun

1. The beginning or introductory portion that comes before the main text of a document or book.

   “The book included a brief preface by a leading expert in the field.”

2. An introduction, or series of preliminary remarks.

3. The prelude or introduction to the canon of the Mass.

Synonyms: forespeech, foretalk, foreword, introduction, proem, prologue, prelude

verb

1. To introduce or make a comment before (the main point).

   “Let me preface this by saying that I don't know him that well.”

2. To give a preface to.

   “to preface a book”