introduction

introduction — noun

1. the event or process of making a new system, practice, or piece of technology av

1.nounB1
Definition

the event or process of making a new system, practice, or piece of technology available so that people can begin to use it.

Example

The introduction of the new subway line cut travel time across the city by half.

collocation: introduction of [system]

Many farmers welcomed the introduction of drought-resistant rice seeds last spring.

collocation: welcome the introduction of [beneficial thing]

Common collocations
  • introduction of a new system
  • introduction of legislation
  • introduction of new technology
  • welcome the introduction of
  • oppose the introduction of
  • delay the introduction of
  • the rapid introduction of
Synonyms
  • launch

    More commercially focused; used for products, campaigns, or brands that are actively promoted to the public.

  • rollout

    Emphasises gradual, phased implementation, often across multiple locations or regions.

  • inception

    Formal; refers to the very beginning or starting point of an institution, idea, or project.

Antonyms
  • withdrawal

    The removal or ending of something that had been introduced.

  • abolition

    The formal ending of a system, practice, or institution.

Grammar Patterns

the introduction of [something]

Usage Note

This sense of introduction focuses on the process or event of making something new available, not on the physical act of inserting one object into another — see sense 7 for that meaning.

Common Mistakes

The introduction of the new machine was delayed.
The delivery of the new machine was delayed.
Use 'delivery' when you mean the physical arrival of an object, not the start of its use.

2. the moment when you say a person's name to another individual so that the two ca

2.nounA2
Definition

the moment when you say a person's name to another individual so that the two can get to know each other, sometimes with a brief description of who each person is.

Example

Tuan made a brief introduction before stepping aside to let them talk.

pattern: make a [adjective] introduction

The host handled all the introductions so that no guest was left standing alone.

Common collocations
  • make an introduction
  • do the introductions
  • handle the introductions
  • a brief introduction
  • a formal introduction
Synonyms
  • presentation

    More formal; often used in official or ceremonial contexts rather than casual meetings.

Grammar Patterns

make an introduction

do the introductions

Usage Note

Often used in the plural (introductions) when referring to a round of name-sharing among several people. The verb phrase 'make the introductions' is a fixed collocation — the person doing this is sometimes called the introducer.

Common Mistakes

I did an introduction of myself.
I introduced myself.
Use the reflexive verb 'introduce oneself' instead of the noun phrase for self-introduction.

3. the first meeting or social occasion in which two or more people learn each othe

3.nounA2
Definition

the first meeting or social occasion in which two or more people learn each other's names and begin to get to know one another.

Example

Christopher had an awkward introduction to his new colleagues on the first day of work.

pattern: have an [adjective] introduction to [people]

The introduction between the two research teams took place at a small coffee shop.

Common collocations
  • an introduction to someone
  • have an introduction
  • during the introduction
  • an awkward introduction
  • a formal introduction
Synonyms
  • meeting

    Less specific — meeting can be planned or accidental; introduction implies someone facilitated the encounter.

  • encounter

    Slightly more formal; emphasises the chance or arranged nature of the coming-together.

Grammar Patterns

an introduction to [someone]

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 2: sense 2 focuses on the action of telling names, while this sense focuses on the social event or encounter that follows the naming. You 'make an introduction' (sense 2) that leads to 'an introduction' between people (sense 3).

4. the opening section of a book, speech, article, or performance that prepares the

4.nounA2
Definition

the opening section of a book, speech, article, or performance that prepares the audience for what follows.

Example

In the introduction to her novel, Élise describes the landscape of her childhood home.

pattern: in the introduction to [text]

Amelia skipped the introduction and went straight to the first chapter.

Common collocations
  • the introduction to a book
  • write an introduction
  • read the introduction
  • a brief introduction
  • a musical introduction
  • in the introduction
Synonyms
  • preface

    Written by the author directly to the reader; always part of a book, not speeches or music.

  • foreword

    Written by someone other than the author; a short endorsement or contextual note.

  • prologue

    Common in fiction and drama; sets up background events rather than outlining the structure.

Antonyms
  • conclusion

    The closing section of a work.

  • epilogue

    A section at the end of a book or play that comments on or wraps up the story.

Grammar Patterns

the introduction to [book/speech/report]

Usage Note

This sense applies to any structured work — written (books, reports, articles), spoken (speeches, lectures), or performed (music, theatre). The introduction usually comes before the main body or first chapter.

5. a person's first encounter with a particular activity, subject, place, or type o

5.nounB1
Definition

a person's first encounter with a particular activity, subject, place, or type of thing, which gives them an initial taste of it.

Example

Hoa's introduction to jazz music was a dusty record she found at a charity shop.

pattern: [possessive] introduction to [thing]

For Stefan, his introduction to rock climbing came during a school trip to the mountains.

Common collocations
  • introduction to [activity]
  • first introduction to
  • my introduction to
  • a gentle introduction to
  • a brutal introduction to
Synonyms
  • first taste

    More informal and figurative; suggests a small or limited first experience.

  • baptism

    Figurative; implies a challenging or intense first encounter ('baptism by fire').

Grammar Patterns

an introduction to [activity/field/thing]

Usage Note

Frequently followed by 'to' + the thing experienced. The emphasis is on the first-time nature — this sense describes the entry point into an area of knowledge or activity, not merely any initial exposure.

Common Mistakes

My introduction with sushi was last year.
My introduction to sushi was last year.
Use 'introduction to', not 'introduction with', for first experiences.

6. a book, course, or textbook that teaches the basic facts and ideas of a subject

6.nounB1
Definition

a book, course, or textbook that teaches the basic facts and ideas of a subject to people who are new to it.

Example

Nicholas bought 'An Introduction to Philosophy' for his first semester at university.

title pattern: An Introduction to [Subject]

The course 'Introduction to Graphic Design' covers colour theory, typography, and layout basics.

Common collocations
  • An Introduction to [Subject]
  • Introduction to [Subject] course
  • introductory textbook
  • beginner's introduction
  • read an introduction to
Synonyms
  • primer

    A short introductory book that covers the absolute basics; less common in course names.

  • beginners' guide

    More informal; often used for hobby or practical-skills books rather than academic subjects.

Antonyms
  • advanced course

    A course designed for learners who already know the basics.

  • specialised text

    A book focused on a narrow topic within a field, not for beginners.

Grammar Patterns

An Introduction to [Subject]

Usage Note

Often capitalised as part of a course or book title (Introduction to...). These materials are designed for beginners — do not use this sense when referring to advanced or specialised texts on the same subject.

Common Mistakes

I read an introduction to advanced quantum mechanics.
I read a textbook on advanced quantum mechanics.
'Introduction' titles are for beginners, not advanced material.

7. the act of placing one object or substance inside another, especially in a medic

7.nounC1
Definition

the act of placing one object or substance inside another, especially in a medical procedure or a technical process.

Example

The careful introduction of a thin tube into the airway helped the patient breathe.

pattern: introduction of [tool] into [body part]

Doctors monitored the introduction of the contrast dye into the patient's bloodstream during the scan.

Common collocations
  • introduction of a tube
  • introduction of a catheter
  • introduction of a dye
  • introduction of an implant
  • introduction of a probe
Synonyms
  • insertion

    More direct and common in medical writing; 'introduction' in this sense is slightly more formal and procedural-sounding.

  • placement

    Focuses on the positioning of the object rather than the act of putting it in.

Antonyms
  • removal

    The act of taking something out.

  • extraction

    Pulling something out, often with force or care.

Grammar Patterns

the introduction of [something] into [something]

Usage Note

This technical sense is distinct from sense 1: sense 1 is about making a system or practice available (e.g., 'introduction of a new policy'), whereas this sense describes a literal physical placement of one thing into another. Most common in medical, surgical, and engineering contexts.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/4

All four words refer to material that comes before the main body of a work, but they serve different purposes. A preface is written by the author and explains why the book was written or how it should be read. A foreword is written by someone else — often an expert or celebrity — and serves as an endorsement. A prologue is part of the narrative itself, commonly found in fiction and drama, setting up background events before the story begins. A preamble is more legal or formal, appearing in documents like constitutions or contracts rather than books. For example, a novel might have a foreword by a famous author praising the work, followed by a prologue that describes events twenty years before the main story. An academic textbook, by contrast, opens with a preface from the author and no prologue at all.

prefaceforewordprologuepreamble

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • the introduction to
  • an introduction of
  • make an introduction
  • need an introduction

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Introduction entered English in the late 14th century, borrowed from Old French 'introduction' and directly from Latin 'introductionem' (nominative 'introductio'), meaning 'a leading in'. The Latin word was formed from 'intro-' (meaning 'inward') plus 'ducere' (meaning 'to lead'), so the original sense was 'a leading into' something — a meaning that survives in sense 7 (insertion). Over time the word broadened to include the leading of people into acquaintance (senses 2-3), the leading of readers into a text (sense 4), and the leading of learners into a subject (sense 6). The sense of bringing a new practice into use (sense 1) emerged in the 16th century.