[pre.am.ble] n [ME, fr. MF preambule, fr. ML preambulum, fr. LL, neut. of praeambulus walking in front of, fr. L prae- + ambulare to walk] (14c) 1: an introductory statement; esp: the introductory part of a constitution or statute that usu. states the reasons for and intent of the law
2: an introductory fact or circumstance; esp: one indicating what is to follow