Introductionthe act of presenting someone or something for the first time is a noun with several related meanings. It can mean the act of presentingshowing or introducing a person to others someone, the start or beginning of something, the first part of a text or talk, or the processa series of actions used to do or make something of putting one thing into another.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-20. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˌɪntrəˈdʌkʃən/
Easy pronunciation: in-truh-DUK-shun (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress on the third syllable, with secondary stress on the first syllable.
Using the primary sense: formally making a person known to another person or to the public.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-20. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Introduction Meaning
the act of presenting one person to another
Part of speech: noun
Definition: formally making a person known to another person or to the public
Example: Let me make the introductions before dinner.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- presentation — Works when a person is formally presented to someone else.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-20. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Introduction
Meaning 2
the start of something
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the act of beginning something new
Example: The introduction of online booking changed the company’s sales process.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- debut — Works for a first appearance or first launch, but not in every context.
- entry — Can fit a first entry into a field or market, though it is less precise.
- launching — Works when something is being launched for the first time.
- unveiling — Works for a public first reveal or launch.
Meaning 3
the act of bringing something new into use
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the act of starting something for the first time; introducing something new
Example: The introduction of the new rule was delayed.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- creation — Can work when the focus is on making something new, but it is broader than introduction.
- foundation — Can fit the start of an institution or system, though it is not a close substitute in all cases.
- founding — Works for starting an organization or institution.
- initiation — Can mean the start of a process or program.
- innovation — Works when the new thing itself is the focus, not the act of introducing it.
- instauration — Rare and literary; only fits in specialized contexts.
- institution — Can refer to establishing something, but it is less direct and often narrower in use.
- origination — Works for the origin or beginning of something, but is formal and less common.
Meaning 4
the act of inserting something
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the act of putting one thing into another
Example: The introduction of the catheter caused discomfort.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- insertion — A direct and natural substitute in this sense.
- intromission — Rare, formal, and not commonly used in everyday English.
Meaning 5
an introductory textbook or guide
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a basic or elementary instructional text
Example: Her introduction to biology was easy to follow.
Meaning 6
a new idea, rule, or plan that is put forward
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a new proposal
Example: The introduction of the tax was widely debated.
Meaning 7
the opening part of a speech, article, or book
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the first section of a communication
Example: The introduction explains the main argument of the essay.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-20. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Introduction Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- presentation
the act of beginning something new
- debut
- entry
- launching
- unveiling
the act of starting something for the first time; introducing something new
- creation
- foundation
- founding
- initiation
- innovation
- instauration
- institution
- origination
the act of putting one thing into another
- insertion
- intromission
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-20. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not confuse introduction meaning a presentation or opening with introduction meaning insertion.
- In many contexts, introduction is not interchangeable with innovation or creation.
- Intro is informal and usually refers to an opening section, not the broader word introduction.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-20. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common meaning of introduction?
The most common everyday meaning is the act of presenting one person to another, or the opening part of something.
What are the best synonyms for introduction?
For the presentation sense, presentation is the closest synonym. For the starting or launching sense, debut, entry, launching, and unveiling can work in the right context.
Is introduction the same as innovation?
Not exactly. Innovation is the new thing itself or the process of creating something new, while introduction is the act of bringing it in or starting it.
Can introduction mean the first part of a book or speech?
Yes. It can mean the opening section that prepares the reader or listener for the main content.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-20. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.