introduce

introduce — verb

1. to make a new product, law, system, or idea available so that people can begin u

1.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to make a new product, law, system, or idea available so that people can begin using it

Example

The university introduced a new course on renewable energy this spring.

introduce + [course / programme / policy]

Renata's team introduced a mobile app that tracks household water usage.

Common collocations
  • introduce legislation
  • introduce a ban
  • introduce a product
  • introduce a system
  • introduce a measure
  • introduce changes
Synonyms
  • launch

    used specifically for products, campaigns, or websites; suggests a public debut

  • implement

    focuses on putting a plan, law, or system into effect; more formal

  • institute

    formal, typically for rules, policies, or systems; suggests official establishment

  • roll out

    informal; suggests a gradual or phased introduction

Antonyms
  • abolish

    to officially end a law, system, or practice

  • withdraw

    to take back a product or service from use

Grammar Patterns

introduce + [new thing]

Common Mistakes

We introduced a meeting to talk about the budget.
We called a meeting to talk about the budget.
'Introduce' is used for new policies or products, not for starting an event or gathering.

2. to tell one person another person's name when they meet for the first time, so t

2.verbtransitiveA2
Definition

to tell one person another person's name when they meet for the first time, so that they can get to know each other

Example

Vivek introduced his cousin to the host at the wedding reception.

introduce [person] to [person]

The teacher introduced the new exchange student to the rest of the class.

Common collocations
  • introduce oneself
  • introduce a friend
  • introduce a colleague
  • introduce a guest
  • introduce someone to the team
  • introduce someone by name
  • introduce formally
  • introduce briefly
Synonyms
  • present

    more formal; often used in formal or official settings (e.g. presenting a dignitary)

  • acquaint

    formal and less common; suggests a more thorough introduction

  • meet

    reciprocal verb; no agent needed ('We met' vs. 'She introduced us')

Grammar Patterns

introduce [person A] to [person B]

introduce oneself

Usage Note

The pattern 'introduce [person A] to [person B]' is the most common structure. The preposition 'to' is required; 'with' is incorrect in this sense. 'Introduce oneself' uses a reflexive pronoun.

Common Mistakes

I introduced my friend with my sister.
I introduced my friend to my sister.
The correct preposition after 'introduce' in this sense is always 'to', never 'with'.

3. to signal that something new is about to begin or has just started

3.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to signal that something new is about to begin or has just started

Example

A short fanfare introduced the arrival of the wedding party.

introduce + [sound / event] (marking beginning)

Heavy rain introduced the rainy season across the island.

Common collocations
  • introduce a season
  • introduce an era
  • introduce a chapter
  • introduce a change
  • introduce a new phase
Synonyms
  • herald

    formal; suggests announcing or signalling the approach of something

  • usher in

    phrasal verb; suggests a period or new age beginning

  • precede

    focuses on coming before something in time, without implying a causal or preparatory relationship

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

introduce + [event / period / phenomenon]

Usage Note

The subject is typically a sound, event, natural phenomenon, or performance element — not a person acting deliberately. To say a person 'introduced' something in this sense, use sense 4 (HOST OR PREFACE) instead.

Common Mistakes

The mayor introduced the festival.' (if meaning he started it)
The mayor opened the festival.
For a person deliberately starting an event, use 'open' or 'begin' rather than this sense, which describes things that mark beginnings passively.

4. to give an opening presentation before a live performance or broadcast, naming t

4.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to give an opening presentation before a live performance or broadcast, naming the people who will appear; to write opening material inside a book or article that explains what follows

Example

Sivan introduced the keynote speaker with a warm welcome and a short biography.

introduce + [speaker] — presenting a performer or speaker

The author wrote a short chapter introducing the main themes of the book.

Common collocations
  • introduce a speaker
  • introduce a guest
  • introduce a show
  • introduce a programme
  • introduce a topic
  • introduce a chapter
  • introduce a theme
  • introduce a segment
Synonyms
  • present

    can be used for introducing a show or speaker; slightly more formal

  • announce

    focuses on stating the name or arrival, not on giving background information

  • host

    broader role of being the main presenter of a show rather than the act of introducing someone

  • preface

    specifically about written introductions to books or documents

Grammar Patterns

introduce + [show / speaker / book / topic]

Usage Note

Common in media, publishing, and live event contexts. When used for a book, the subject is the author or someone writing a foreword. When used for a live show, it can mean either welcoming the audience or presenting each performer by name.

5. to help someone gain knowledge of a subject or try out an activity for the very

5.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to help someone gain knowledge of a subject or try out an activity for the very first time

Example

The camp introduced children to rock climbing in a safe environment.

introduce [someone] to [activity] — exposing to new experience

Lisa introduced her younger sister to classical music through piano lessons.

Common collocations
  • introduce someone to a new idea
  • introduce someone to a subject
  • introduce someone to a skill
  • introduce someone to the world of
  • introduce someone to the basics
  • introduce someone to the concept
Synonyms
  • acquaint with

    more formal; suggests making someone familiar with something through experience

  • expose to

    suggests giving someone the chance to experience something new, often for the first time

  • initiate into

    formal; suggests bringing someone into a group, practice, or area of knowledge

Grammar Patterns

introduce [someone] to [activity / subject / idea]

Usage Note

Always followed by 'to' when specifying the activity, subject, or idea. The subject can be a person, an institution, or an experience itself. This sense differs from sense 2 (FIRST MEETING) because here the object experiences an activity or field of knowledge, not another person.

Common Mistakes

The teacher introduced the students calculus.
The teacher introduced the students to calculus.
The preposition 'to' is required before the subject or activity being learned.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words describe making something new available, but they differ in scope and context. 'Launch' suggests a public debut with fanfare and is typical for products, apps, or campaigns — for example, a tech company launches a new smartphone. 'Implement' is more methodical and formal, focusing on putting a plan, policy, or system into practice step by step — a school district implements a new curriculum. 'Enact' is the most formal and is reserved for laws or official rules — a parliament enacts legislation. 'Roll out' is informal and suggests a gradual, phased release — a company rolls out software updates to users one region at a time. For classroom use: 'The company launched the product nationwide last week' suggests a big event, while 'The school implemented the new anti-bullying policy in September' suggests careful execution.

launch ↗implement ↗enact ↗roll out

Common collocations

Adverbs

Phrases

  • let me introduce
  • allow me to introduce
  • first introduced
  • newly introduced
  • introduced as

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'introduce' comes from Latin 'introducere', formed from 'intro-' (meaning 'inward' or 'to the inside') and 'ducere' (meaning 'to lead'). So its original sense was 'to lead or bring in'. It entered English through French in the late 15th century. The specific meaning of making people known to each other dates from the 16th century, and the sense of presenting a speaker or show developed in the 17th century.