pre·am·ble /'prē-ˌam-bəl, prē-'am-/ n [Middle French preambule, from Medieval Latin preambulum, from Late Latin, neuter of preambulus walking in front of, from Latin prae- + ambulare to walk]: an introductory statement (as to a contract); esp: the introductory part of a constitution or statute that usu. states the reasons for and intent of the law
◇ While preambles do not state law and therefore are not judicially enforceable, they are used to determine legislative intent when interpreting statutes.
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.