The Preamble is the part of the U.S. Constitution that begins with the words “We the People.”
It is the Constitution’s short introductory statement, outlining broad purposes such as forming a more perfect union, establishing justice, and securing liberty. The Preamble does not itself create individual government powers; those are mainly detailed in the Constitution’s articles and amendments.
The final wording was prepared in 1787 by the Committee of Style, led by Gouverneur Morris. The phrase “We the People” is significant because it presents the Constitution as deriving authority from the people of the United States rather than directly from the individual states.
A common mix-up is confusing the Preamble with the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration announces separation from Great Britain, while the Preamble introduces the governing framework adopted at the Constitutional Convention.