What is the Latin word for introduction?

The usual Latin words for “introduction” are intrōductiō, inductiō, invectiō; also adeō, introitus, ingressiō. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

English → Latin

“introduction” in Latin

intrōductiōinnovation; A lead-in; an introduction, a preface inductiōintroduction, admission; induction invectiōimportation; entrance, arrival; invective adeōto approach, go to; to attend (a performance); to undertake, undergo introitusa going in or into, entering; an entrance; a place of entrance; passage; mouth of a river; an entering or entrance into ingressiōentering; entrance ingrediorto go into or onto, enter; to enter upon, engage in, apply oneself to something; to enter upon, begin, commence prī̆ncepsfirst, foremost; chief, distinguished exōrdiumbeginning, commencement; introduction, preface, start or beginning of a speech; foundation, creation prooemiuma preface, introduction, prelude; a beginning

The English word introduction itself goes back to Latin intrōdūcō, through intrōdūctiōnem.

Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864

introduction

Act of introducing, (1) introductio (only in the literal sense; e.g., of introducing armed men into the circus, introductio armatorum): inductio (the introducing a character into a dialogue, ficta personae inductio): invectio (the introduction of goods into a country; importation). (2) For introduction of customs, etc., by circumlocution with inducere, introducere, etc. [Vid: INTRODUCE.] (3) Act of making a person known to another; by circumlocution with verbs in INTRODUCE (= to make a person known to another). Letter of introduction, litterae commendaticiae (Cic., Fam., 5, 5, recommendatory letters), or commendatio only (recommendation): to give anybody a letter of introduction to anybody, ad aliquem de aliquo scribere (diligentissime): anybody has brought a letter of introduction to me, aliquem sibi commendatum habere (anybody has been recommended to my notice whether by letter or orally).

Introductory preface, aditus: introītus: ingressio: ingressus (general term, mode of entering upon or beginning one’s subject; introduction to a speech, poem, etc.; introītus only, perhaps in introitus defensionis, Cic., pro Coel., 2, 3, Krebs): principium (beginning; of a speech or letter): exordium (beginning of, or introduction to a speech or writing, as part of it): prooemium (προοίμιον, litterally, “prelude;” also introduction to a speech, history, poem): praefatio (oral introduction to a discussion, etc.; not introduction to a book till Quint. and Plin.). Perhaps prolegomena (προλεγόμενα) may be retained for a long introduction, separate from the work itself; so Krebs. If = prologue, Vid: To make a long introduction, multa praefari: after a short introduction, pauca praefatus: to make an introduction to one’s speech (of an orator), aditum ad causam facere. Sometimes vestibulum (threshold = introduction; Cic., Or., 15, 50; ☞ Quint., 9, 4, 10, quodam quasi vestibulo). To say anything by way of introduction, dicere aliquid ante rem: to commence one’s speeches by a graceful (brilliant, tec.) introduction, vestibula honesta atque aditus ad causam illustres facere (Cic.).

Quick answer

What is the Latin word for introduction?: The usual Latin words for “introduction” are intrōductiō, inductiō, invectiō; also adeō, introitus, ingressiō. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.