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• pre-
  pre-

  a prefix occurring originally in loanwords from Latin, where it meant “before” (preclude; prevent ); applied freely as a prefix, with the meanings “prior to,” “in advance of,” “early,” “beforehand,” “before,” “in front of,” and with other figurative meanings (preschool; prewar; prepay; preoral; prefrontal ).
• P.R.E.
  P.R.E.

  abbreviation

  Petroleum Refining Engineer.

pre-

¹ American  

Also prae-

1. a prefix occurring originally in loanwords from Latin, where it meant “before” (preclude; prevent ); applied freely as a prefix, with the meanings “prior to,” “in advance of,” “early,” “beforehand,” “before,” “in front of,” and with other figurative meanings (preschool; prewar; prepay; preoral; prefrontal ).

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P.R.E. ² American  

abbreviation

1. Petroleum Refining Engineer.

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pre- British  

prefix

1. before in time, rank, order, position, etc

   predate

   pre-eminent

   premeditation

   prefrontal

   preschool

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Etymology

Origin of pre-

< Latin prae-, prefixal use of prae (preposition and adv.); akin to first, fore-, prior ¹, pro ¹

Example Sentences

It’s possible that, outside of sports, Pre was a rebel without a cause.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2025

Thompson-Herah faded at the Pre, finishing last in the field of nine.

From Seattle Times • May 25, 2024

Pre Messi, Inter Miami had a stadium with plenty of empty seats.

From BBC • Nov. 27, 2023

At Virginia’s Dulles Airport recently, I idled in a lengthy TSA Pre queue as the handful of people in another line to my left got far speedier service.

From Slate • Dec. 20, 2022

I’m a bit of a favourite with Mr Du Pre, I suspect; and I’ll go up to him at once, and tell him the truth.

From Salt Water The Sea Life and Adventures of Neil D'Arcy the Midshipman by Lacey, C. J. de