introduction

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   The act of telling two people each other's names when they meet for the first time.

   Grammar: Often used in the plural for social meetings: make the introductions.

   Patterns

   • make an introduction
   • introduction to someone

   Let me make the introductions, since you haven't met.

   Her introduction to the manager happened at the party.

   After the quick introductions, the meeting began.

2. 2nouncountable

   The opening part of a book, speech or article that explains what it is about.

   Grammar: Takes an article: the introduction to the book.

   Patterns

   • the introduction to something
   • in the introduction

   The introduction explains how the book is organized.

   She wrote a short introduction to the report.

   In his introduction, the speaker thanked the audience.

3. 3nounsingular

   The first time something new is brought into use or into a place.

   Grammar: Often with the and of: the introduction of new rules.

   Patterns

   • the introduction of something

   The introduction of electric buses cut the city's pollution.

   Since the introduction of the new law, crime has fallen.

   The introduction of rabbits to the island harmed the plants.

4. 4nouncountable

   A first, simple book or course that teaches the basics of a subject.

   Grammar: Often with to and a subject: an introduction to chemistry.

   Patterns

   • an introduction to something

   I bought An Introduction to Astronomy at the bookstore.

   The course is a good introduction to coding.

   Her first trip was a gentle introduction to hiking.

Word forms

Common combinations

make the introductions

Lena made the introductions and everyone shook hands.

letter of introduction

He carried a letter of introduction to the director.

brief introduction

She gave a brief introduction to the topic.

introduction to

The class is an introduction to economics.

by way of introduction

By way of introduction, I'll explain how I got here.

Synonyms and how they differ

preface

Preface is a formal opening note in a book, often written by the author, while introduction can be longer and explain the content.

opening

Opening is broader and covers the start of any event or text, not just an explanatory section.

launch

Launch is used for the first release of a product, which is narrower than introduction of something new.

primer

Primer is a basic book or text for beginners, a close fit for the fourth sense only.

Opposites

Word family

introduce verb

to present someone or something for the first time

introductory adjective

coming at the start or meant for beginners

introducer noun

a person who introduces someone or something

reintroduce verb

to bring back or present again

Commonly confused: introduction or introspection?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “introduction”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words