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[ in-truh—duhk-shuhn ]
/ ˌɪn trəˈdʌk ʃən /
This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.
noun
a formal personal presentation of one person to another or others.
a preliminary part, as of a book, musical composition, or the like, leading up to the main part.
an elementary treatise: an introduction to botany.
an act or instance of inserting.
something introduced.
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Origin of introduction
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English introduccion, from Latin intrōductiōn- (stem of intrōductiō ). See introduce, -tion
synonym study for introduction
3. Introduction, foreword, preface refer to material given at the front of a book to explain or introduce it to the reader. A foreword is part of the front matter and is usually written by someone other than the author, often an authority on the subject of the book. A preface is the author’s own statement, and often includes acknowledgments. It follows the foreword (if there is one) and is also part of the front matter. The introduction is always by the author. It may be extensive and is usually printed as part of the text.
OTHER WORDS FROM introduction
re·in·tro·duc·tion, nounself-in·tro·duc·tion, nounsub·in·tro·duc·tion, noun
Words nearby introduction
intrinsically, intrinsic factor, intrinsic semiconductor, intro, introduce, introduction, introductory, introgression, introit, introject, introjection
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
MORE ABOUT INTRODUCTION
What is an introduction?
The introduction is the first section of an essay. It presents, or introduces, the essay topic and includes a thesis statement.
Students are usually taught to write an essay in three parts, with the first part being the introduction, followed by the body and ending with a conclusion.
The introduction is often considered to be the most important part of the essay because it summarizes the essay’s topic and introduces the thesis statement. The thesis statement presents the specific argument the essay will make or the main point the reader should take away.
Outside of essays, introductions are also used in articles, opinion pieces, blog posts, research papers, and other types of writing to entice someone into reading the whole piece.
Why is introduction important?
The first records of the word introduction come around 1350. It ultimately comes from the Latin intrōdūcere, meaning “to lead inside.” In terms of an essay, the introduction presents the reader with the essay topic, inviting them “inside” the essay to learn more.
Teachers often tell students that an introduction should be only as long as it needs to be to do its job, which you might find frustrating and vague. A good introduction begins with a sentence that will interest the reader and entice them to read the rest of the essay, often called a hook. The hook can be an unexpected question, a shocking sentence, an interesting statistic, a powerful quote, or many other possibilities.
After the hook, you’ll want to include sentences that talk about the main points of your essay or that provide a small amount of background information a reader might need. The introduction should not go into detail about any of the points you’ll make in the body of the essay.
You’ll also include a thesis statement in your introduction, often as the last sentence. For student essays, the thesis statement usually answers the question asked by the writing prompt or presents their position on a debate or situation.
Did you know … ?
The introduction can be the hardest part of an essay to write because you have to know what you will say in the essay. When a writer is struggling with their introduction, they sometimes find that writing it after they write the body of the essay is easier.
What are real-life examples of introduction?
This slide gives a quick summary of some elements of a good introduction.
Many students struggle to write good introductions, and it’s often the first thing they write for an essay.
Watch Writing INTRODUCTION Part, Essay Writing, UPSC CSE MAINS 2019, Dr Khan, KSG Indiahttps://t.co/VZmZAsZMwT
— Khan Study Group (@khanstudygroup) September 8, 2021
I find the hardest part of essay writing is getting started. Once the introduction is out of the way, things start getting a lot easier.
— Majeed Ullah (@majeed_ullah_) January 9, 2021
Quiz yourself!
True or False?
The introduction is the most important part of the essay because it contains the thesis statement.
Words related to introduction
addition, debut, establishment, inauguration, influx, initiation, installation, launch, opening, preface, presentation, admittance, awakening, baptism, beginning, commencement, essentials, exordium, foreword, hornbook
How to use introduction in a sentence
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“With the introduction of Shops on Facebook and Instagram, the importance of Facebook as an online sales driver is likely to increase as brands need to ensure they are delivering fantastic customer experiences on social commerce platforms,” said Ma.
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Skinner said that improper clearing could leave space for the introduction of tall non-native grasses that burn hotter, faster and higher – adding risk to catching trees alight.
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We know that introduction of state lotteries and casinos into neighborhoods increases crime.
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The only thing I can think of is maybe the introductions, and what each team is able to do, that you feel a little different.
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Among the most talked-about introductions have been zero-cost benefits around pay.
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Finding the shop is a trip in itself and an introduction to a slice of history.
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On company questionnaires, many students still report the book as their introduction to RSD.
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Granted, partly this is a problem of sources the author identifies in the introduction.
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For a shorter introduction to Richardson, read Journey to Paradise: Short Stories and Autobiographical Sketches.
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Existing food shortages in the country were immediately exacerbated by the introduction of Ebola, for a variety of reasons.
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It would appear then that the year 1559 was about the period of the introduction of tobacco into Europe.
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Its use by so distinguished a person as Raleigh was equivalent to its general introduction.
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Labor, so it was argued, was perpetually being saved by the constant introduction of new uses of machinery.
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“Reggie has spoken of you many times, monsieur,” said Fleurette, after the introduction had been effected.
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Thanks to Massna’s warm introduction and his own reputation, he found himself cordially received by the First Consul.
British Dictionary definitions for introduction
noun
the act of introducing or fact of being introduced
a presentation of one person to another or others
a means of presenting a person to another person, group, etc, such as a letter of introduction or reference
a preliminary part, as of a book, speech, etc
music
- an instrumental passage preceding the entry of a soloist, choir, etc
- an opening passage in a movement or composition that precedes the main material
something that has been or is introduced, esp something that is not native to an area, country, etc
a basic or elementary work of instruction, reference, etc
logic (qualified by the name of an operation) a syntactic rule specifying the conditions under which a formula or statement containing the specified operator may be derived from othersconjunction-introduction; negation-introduction
Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
English word introduction comes from Latin intrare, Proto-Indo-European *dukn-, Proto-Indo-European *h₁énteros (Inside, within.)
Detailed word origin of introduction
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| intrare | Latin (lat) | |
| *dukn- | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | |
| *h₁énteros | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | Inside, within. |
| ducere | Latin (lat) | «be thou led, be thou guided». «to lead, to guide». |
| introduco | Latin (lat) | (figuratively) I institute, originate.. (in speech or writing) I bring forward, maintain.. I introduce.. I lead in: I conduct into. |
| introductus | Latin (lat) | |
| introductio | Latin (lat) | (literature) A lead-in; an introduction, a preface. Innovation. |
| introduction | Old French (fro) | |
| introduction | English (eng) | A means, such as a personal letter, of presenting one person to another.. A written or oral explanation of what constitutes the basis of an issue.. An initial section of a book or article, which introduces the subject material.. The act or process of introducing. |
Words with the same origin as introduction
1
a(1)
: a part of a book or treatise preliminary to the main portion
(2)
: a preliminary treatise or course of study
4
: something introduced
specifically
: a new or exotic plant or animal
Synonyms
Example Sentences
the introduction of telephone service to the area
Since its introduction last year, over a million copies of the software have been sold.
the introduction of evidence at the trial
the introduction of a new topic for conversation
the introduction of the bill to Congress
She told the audience, by way of introduction, that the research was completed a year ago.
the introduction of an Asian plant species to America
After a brief introduction, the performer took the stage.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Doubling Electric Range The announcement also mentioned the introduction of a next-generation electric platform planned for around 2026, and today Toyota Executive Vice President Hiroki Nakajima said the company plans to double the driving range of its next-gen EVs.
—
Eric Stafford, Car and Driver, 8 Apr. 2023
This confluence of events led some researchers to assert that the significant decrease in U.S. violent crimes between 1992 and 2002 was in large part due to the introduction of unleaded gas.
—Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 7 Apr. 2023
Experts believe this jump was due to fewer COVID-19 restrictions and more people going out, likely because of the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2023
The Detroit Tigers honored Cabrera, a future Hall of Famer and franchise icon, during Thursday’s pregame introductions before the final home opener of his playing career.
—Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press, 6 Apr. 2023
On the night of Nov. 1, 1991, Copa sat on the Spurs’ bench as fireworks exploded at HemisFair Arena during pregame introductions.
—Jeff Mcdonald, San Antonio Express-News, 6 Apr. 2023
During the introduction of Justin Thomas before a press conference at Augusta National Golf Club on Tuesday, the moderator noted the former Alabama All-American’s 57 birdies and eagles were tied for the most over the past three Masters.
—Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 6 Apr. 2023
The sport’s introduction of the pitch clock could also introduce ways for runners to time up pitchers to get a good jump, and there are also new limits on pickoff attempts.
—Nathan Ruiz, Baltimore Sun, 2 Apr. 2023
Jim Davis/Globe Staff Perhaps the most pathetic moment of the opener came during pregame introductions, when the Sox felt the need to oversell members of their staring lineup with résumé-bragging superlatives.
—Dan Shaughnessy, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Mar. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘introduction.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English introduccioun act of introducing, from Anglo-French introduction, from Latin introduction-, introductio, from introducere
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of introduction was
in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near introduction
Cite this Entry
“Introduction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/introduction. Accessed 14 Apr. 2023.
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Last Updated:
13 Apr 2023
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
- Dictionary
- I
- Introduction
Transcription
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
-
- [in-truh—duhk-shuh n]
- /ˌɪn trəˈdʌk ʃən/
- /ˌɪntrəˈdʌkʃn/
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [in-truh—duhk-shuh n]
- /ˌɪn trəˈdʌk ʃən/
Definitions of introduction word
- noun introduction the act of introducing or the state of being introduced. 1
- noun introduction a formal personal presentation of one person to another or others. 1
- noun introduction a preliminary part, as of a book, musical composition, or the like, leading up to the main part. 1
- noun introduction an elementary treatise: an introduction to botany. 1
- noun introduction an act or instance of inserting. 1
- noun introduction something introduced. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of introduction
First appearance:
before 1350
One of the 20% oldest English words
1350-1400; Middle English introduccion < Latin intrōductiōn- (stem of intrōductiō). See introduce, -tion
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Introduction
introduction popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 85% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between «mom» and «screwdriver».
Synonyms for introduction
noun introduction
- debut — The debut of a performer or sports player is their first public performance, appearance, or recording.
- installation — something installed, as machinery or apparatus placed in position or connected for use.
- opening — an open or clear space.
- addition — An addition to something is a thing which is added to it.
- presentation — an act of presenting.
Antonyms for introduction
noun introduction
- closing — The closing part of an activity or period of time is the final part of it.
- close — When you close something such as a door or lid or when it closes, it moves so that a hole, gap, or opening is covered.
- completion — the act of completing, or finishing
- conclusion — When you come to a conclusion, you decide that something is true after you have thought about it carefully and have considered all the relevant facts.
- finish — to bring (something) to an end or to completion; complete: to finish a novel; to finish breakfast.
Top questions with introduction
- how to write an introduction?
- how to write an introduction paragraph?
- how to start an introduction?
- how to write a good introduction?
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- what is the introduction to the constitution called?
- what is an introduction?
- how to respond to an introduction email?
- how long should an introduction paragraph be?
- how to write an introduction for a lab report?
- what was revealed by the introduction of soundscan in 1991?
- what is the introduction of the constitution called?
- how to respond to an email introduction?
- how to write an introduction for a research paper?
- what is a letter of introduction?
See also
- All definitions of introduction
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Origin of the word “introduce/introduction”
Introduce comes from the Latin Introducere composed of intro (in) + ducere (lead, lead). It’s definition is: bring/lead in
It is interesting to note that the predominant meanings of the word introduce in English are ‘to use something for the first time’, and ‘to present or to be presented to someone’.
That is, to bring to knowledge something to someone.
The Latin word ducere also gave rise to the words duct, educate, produce, and so on.
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