1. Something that serves as a preceding event or introduces what follows
   "training is a necessary prelude to employment";
   - preliminary, overture
    
2. Music that precedes a fugue or introduces an act in an opera
   "The haunting prelude set the tone for the entire opera"

1. Serve as a prelude or opening to
   "The storm preluded a week of bad weather"
    
2. (music) play as a prelude
   "The organist preluded with a short piece before the main performance"

Derived forms: preluding, preludes, preluded

Type of: function, inception, music, origin, origination, play, serve, spiel

Encyclopedia: Prelude, Fugue, and Riffs