Preamble - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition preamble

preamble

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[Middle French preambule, from Medieval Latin preambulum, from Late Latin, neuter of preambulus walking in front of, from Latin prae- + ambulare to walk]
: an introductory statement (as to a contract)
;esp
: the introductory part of a constitution or statute that usually states the reasons for and intent of the law NOTE: While preambles do not state law and therefore are not judicially enforceable, they are used to determine legislative intent when interpreting statutes.