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

The Cheungs moved in shortly before the couple’s son was born.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

One concern is that this year’s flu vaccine was recommended before the new strain emerged.

Read more on Salon

Incorrectly categorising risk was a contributory factor to the way French police treated Liverpool fans before the 2023 Champions League final in Paris.

Read more on BBC

Many prostate cancers grow so slowly you would have to live to 120-150 years old before they were a threat - so they do not need treating, the National Screening Committee said.

Read more on BBC

Raanan, a collector of Jewish artefacts, said he fell in love with the book before even seeing it, when an antiques dealer told him about its existence.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• ahead 
• back 
• previously 
• since 
• sooner