in ‧ tro ‧ duc ‧ tion S3 W2 /ˌɪntrəˈdʌkʃ ə n/ BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ introduction , ↑ intro ; verb : ↑ introduce ; adjective : ↑ introductory ]
1 . NEW SYSTEM/PRODUCT [uncountable] the act of bringing something into use for the first time
introduction of
the introduction of a range of new products
With the introduction of independent taxation, a married woman’s position is much clearer.
2 . BRING SOMETHING TO A PLACE
a) [uncountable] the act of bringing something somewhere for the first time
introduction of
the introduction of Buddhism to China nearly 2000 years ago
b) [countable] a type of thing that is brought somewhere for the first time:
The potato was a 16th-century introduction.
3 . WHEN MEETING SOMEBODY [countable] the act of formally telling two people each other’s names when they first meet:
Pete, are you going to make the introductions?
Our first contestant needs no introduction (=everyone already knows the person) .
4 . BOOK/SPEECH [countable] a written or spoken explanation at the beginning of a book, speech etc:
In the introduction, he explains why he wrote the book.
Mr Brown gave a brief introduction to the course.
5 . MUSIC [countable] a short part at the beginning of a song or piece of music
6 . EXPLANATION [countable] something that explains the basic facts of a subject
introduction to
The book is a useful introduction to British geology.
7 . NEW EXPERIENCE [countable] someone’s first experience of something
introduction to
an introduction to water sports
8 . LETTER [countable] a letter by someone else that explains who you are, which you can give to a person you have not met before
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THESAURUS
▪ introduction a written or spoken statement at the beginning of a book, speech, or meeting, giving a general idea of what it is about:
After a brief introduction by the chairman, the meeting began.
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The author outlines his methods of research in the introduction.
▪ preface a short piece of writing at the beginning of a book that says what the book is about or the reason for writing it:
In the preface, he explains his motives for returning to the subject of Middle Eastern politics.
▪ foreword a short introduction to a book or report, usually written by someone who is not the author:
Greene wrote the foreword to Suzmann’s book.
▪ prologue an introduction to a piece of writing, especially a play or a long poem:
the prologue to Shakespeare’s ‘Henry V’
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The poem begins with a brief prologue.
▪ preamble a statement at the beginning of something, especially an official document, which explains what it is about:
the Preamble to the US Constitution