Legal Definition and Related Resources of Preamble

The preliminary part or clause at the beginning of a statute or legal document of an explanatory nature giving the reasons for the statute or reciting the facts leading to such instrument . The preamble of an enactment is not a substantial part of the same. Merely indicates the light in which the act is to be read. The preamble may be looked at to ascertain the intention of the legislature but the enacting clauses are the ones that will finally govern the interpretation of the act.

An introduction prefixed to a statute, reciting the intention of the legislature in framing it, or the evils which led to its enactment. A preamble is said to be the key of a statute, to open the minds of the makers as to the mischiefs which are to be remedied, and the objects which are to be acPREAPPOINTED EVIDENCE complished, by the provisions of the statute. 4 Inst. 330; 6 Pet. (U. S.) 301. In modern legislative practice, preambles are much less used than formerly, and in some of the United States are rarely, if ever, now inserted in statutes. In the interpretation of a statute, though resort may be had to the preamble, it cannot limit or control the express provisions of the statute. Dwarr. St. 504-508. Nor can it by implication enlarge what is expressly fixed. 1 Story, Const, bk. 3, c. 6; 3 McCord (S. C.) 298; 15 Johns. (N. Y.) 89; Busb. (N. C.) 131; 2 Ware (U. S.) 38.

noun

• beginning
• exordium
• foreword
• foundation
• introduction
• introductory part
• introductory statement
• lead
• opening
• preface
• prefatory note
• prelude
• prelusion
• proem
• prolegomenon
• prologue Associated Concepts: preamble to a constitution

Browse or run a search for Preamble in the American Encyclopedia of Law, the Asian Encyclopedia of Law, the European Encyclopedia of Law, the UK Encyclopedia of Law or the Latin American and Spanish Encyclopedia of Law.

Preamble in Historical Law

You might be interested in the historical meaning of this term. Browse or search for Preamble in Historical Law in the Encyclopedia of Law.

Search for legal acronyms and/or abbreviations containing Preamble in the Legal Abbreviations and Acronyms Dictionary.

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This definition of Preamble is based on the The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary . This entry needs to be proofread.

Vocabularies (Semantic Web Information)

Preamble in Law Enforcement

Main Entry: Law Enforcement in the Legal Dictionary. This section provides, in the context of Law Enforcement, a partial definition of preamble.

Resources

See Also

• Law Enforcement Officer
• Police
• Law Enforcement Agency

Further Reading

• preamble in A Dictionary of Law Enforcement (Oxford University Press)
• preamble in the Encyclopedia of Law Enforcement
• A Treatise on the Police of the Metropolis

Meaning of Preamble in Canada

In this country (and some others), a meaning of Preamble may be the following: A clause at the beginning of a statute explanatory of the reasons for its enactment and the objects sought to be accomplished.

Definition of Preamble

In relation to social issues, a meaning of preamble is provided here: introduction to a formal document that explains its purpose.

Preamble and the European Union

Resources

See Also

• Chapeau