Preamble
Preamble: An introductory statement at the beginning of a constitution, statute or contract that explains its purposes. The Preamble to the U.S. Constitution begins "We the People of the United States"; the Supreme Court has explained that, although it states the Constitution's general purposes, it "has never been regarded as the source of any substantive power" conferred on the government (Jacobson v. Massachusetts, 197 U.S. 11, 22 (1905)).
What preamble means
In short, preamble is a term you will meet in court papers, rules and legal research. The definition above gives its usual meaning in American civil practice. However, the exact meaning can depend on the rule, statute or court decision that uses it. So it helps to read the term in context.
Where preamble comes up
The term is used across many kinds of cases. For example, you may see it in pleadings, motions and court orders. To see it in context, browse the motions and procedures library or the Learn the Law topics.
How to research the term
Start with the primary source. For example, if preamble appears in a federal rule, read the rule itself and its official notes. After that, check your court’s local rules and any standing orders from the judge. In addition, search recent decisions from your own state or federal district. They show how courts read preamble in practice. Because state rules often differ, our state procedures guide links to each state’s official rules. Above all, make sure the version you read is still in force.
You can read the current federal court rules online for free.
Related legal terms
- Pooling and servicing agreement: a contract that governs a securitization trust: how loans are transferred into the trust, and the duties of the depositor, the trustee and the servicer.
- Positive law: for the United States Code, a title that Congress has enacted as law itself. Under 1 U.S.C. § 204, the text of a positive-law title is legal evidence of the law, while the other titles are prima facie evidence of the law.
- Power of attorney: a written document in which one person (the principal) authorizes another (the agent, or attorney-in-fact) to act on the principal's behalf in legal or financial matters.
- Power of sale: a clause in a mortgage or deed of trust allowing the property to be sold after default without a court proceeding, following state statutory procedures.
Why precise terms matter
Legal words often look like everyday words, but they can carry a precise meaning. Because of that, a small misreading can change how you understand a deadline, a duty or a right. Our glossary keeps each definition short and links it to the procedures where it matters.
Sources
Sources last reviewed: 2026-10-24
Lawtopolis provides legal information and education, not legal advice. Using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and court rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time; verify every authority against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction about your situation.