Prelude (noun)

  1. A piece of music, typically one that is short and at the beginning of a longer work, that serves as an introduction.
  2. An action or event that precedes and is seen as an introduction to another.

Origin:

Late 16th century: from french prélude, or from latin praeludium, from prae "before" + ludium "a game", "a song".

Examples:

  1. A prelude to a concerto.
  2. A prelude to a storm.
  3. Prelude to a major work.
  4. Prelude to a negotiation.
  5. A prelude to a speech.
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