/ ˌɪntrəˈdʌkʃn; NAmE / noun
BRINGING INTO USE / TO A PLACE
1.
[ U ] the act of bringing sth into use or existence for the first time, or of bringing sth to a place for the first time :
the introduction of new manufacturing methods
the introduction of compulsory military service
the 1 000th anniversary of the introduction of Christianity to Russia
2.
[ C ] a thing that is brought into use or introduced to a place for the first time :
The book lists plants suitable for the British flower garden, among them many new introductions.
OF PEOPLE
3.
[ C ] introduction (to sb) the act of making one person formally known to another, in which you tell each the other's name :
Introductions were made and the conversation started to flow.
Our speaker today needs no introduction (= is already well known) .
a letter of introduction (= a letter which tells sb who you are, written by sb who knows both you and the person reading the letter)
FIRST EXPERIENCE
4.
[ sing. ] introduction (to sth) a person's first experience of sth :
This album was my first introduction to modern jazz.
OF BOOK / SPEECH
5.
[ C , U ] introduction (to sth) the first part of a book or speech that gives a general idea of what is to follow :
a brief introduction
a book with an excellent introduction and notes
By way of introduction , let me give you the background to the story.
—compare preface
TO SUBJECT
6.
[ C ] introduction (to sth) a book or course for people beginning to study a subject :
'An Introduction to Astronomy'
It's a useful introduction to an extremely complex subject.
IN MUSIC
7.
[ C ] ( music ) a short section at the beginning of a piece of music :
an eight-bar introduction
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Latin introductio(n-) , from the verb introducere , from intro- to the inside + ducere to lead.