Preliminary Matter (Prelims) Glossary Definition

preliminary matter (prelims) is a glossary heading used for a concept related to term, front matter in technical communication, documentation, publishing, training, or information design.

The heading is useful as a searchable term because practitioners may encounter it as a source term, variant phrase, or related concept when working with term, front matter. The local entry explains the relationship without treating the terms as interchangeable unless they are true equivalents.