before

[ bih-fawr, -fohr ]

preposition

1. previous to; earlier or sooner than:

   Phone me before noon.

2. in front of; ahead of; in advance of:

   his shadow advancing before him;

   She stood before the window.

3. ahead of; in the future of; awaiting:

   The golden age is before us.

4. in preference to; rather than:

   They would die before surrendering.

5. in precedence of, as in order or rank:

   We put freedom before wealth.

6. in the presence or sight of: to appear before an audience.
7. less than; until: used in indicating the exact time:

   It's ten before three.

8. under the jurisdiction or consideration of:

   He was summoned before a magistrate.

9. confronted by; in the face of:

   Before such wild accusations, he was too stunned to reply.

10. in the regard of:

    a crime before God and humanity.

11. under the overwhelming influence of:

    bending before the storm.

12. without figuring or deducting:

    income before deductions.

adverb

1. in front; in advance; ahead:

   The king entered with macebearers walking before.

   Antonyms: behind, after

2. in time preceding; previously:

   If we'd known before, we'd have let you know.

   Antonyms: subsequently, afterward

3. earlier or sooner:

   Begin at noon, not before.

   Antonyms: later

conjunction

1. previous to the time when:

   Send the telegram before we go.

2. sooner than; rather than:

   I will die before I submit.

before

/ bɪˈfɔː /

conjunction

1. earlier than the time when
2. rather than

   he'll resign before he agrees to it

preposition

1. preceding in space or time; in front of; ahead of

   standing before the altar

2. when confronted by

   to withdraw before one's enemies

3. in the presence of

   to be brought before a judge

4. in preference to

   to put friendship before money

adverb

1. at an earlier time; previously; beforehand; in front

Word History and Origins

Origin of before¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English beforen, Old English beforan, equivalent to be by + foran “before” ( fore fore ¹ + -an adverb suffix)

Word History and Origins

Origin of before¹

Old English beforan ; related to Old Frisian befara , Old High German bifora

Idioms and Phrases

• cart before the horse
• cast pearls before swine
• look before you leap

Example Sentences

Before anti-vaxxers, there were anti-fluoriders: a group who spread fear about the anti-tooth decay agent added to drinking water.

From The Daily Beast

In secret, before the referendum, the council went ahead and fluoridated the water anyway.

From The Daily Beast

Just the hard-on before you shoot unarmed members of the public.

From The Daily Beast

Was there an investigation of people at DOJ before they arrived at that conclusion?

From The Daily Beast

Between 25 and 30, you’re trying to decide how much longer before you start growing a beard and calling yourself ‘Daddy.

From The Daily Beast

And he was gone, and out of sight on the swift galloping Benito, before Father Gaspara bethought himself.

From Project Gutenberg

Descending the Alps to the east or south into Piedmont, a new world lies around and before you.

From Project Gutenberg

Before Ripperda could unclasp his lips to reply, the stranger had opened the door, and passed through it like a gliding shadow.

From Project Gutenberg

Louis stood firm, though pale and respectful, before the resentful gaze of Elizabeth.

From Project Gutenberg

Babylas raised his pale face; he knew what was coming; it had come so many times before.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• since