beforehand
Americanadverb
adjective
Etymology
Origin of beforehand
First recorded in 1175–1225, beforehand is from the Middle English word bifor-hand. See before, hand
Vocabulary lists containing beforehand
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Beforehand, Osaka said she felt the slot needs to be filled by a "popcorn" match - and this blockbuster certainly fit the bill.
From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026
Beforehand, some legal experts predicted the president would lose in a rout.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026
Beforehand, residents agreed to forego a paycheck, and instead, every hour of work they put in would knock $15 off their rent debt, according to a copy of the contract they signed.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 16, 2023
Beforehand, each teacher watched one of two videos introducing this student.
From Scientific American • Oct. 27, 2023
Beforehand, we'd had face-recognition cameras covering nearly every public space in school, but a court ruled that was unconstitutional.
From Little Brother by Doctorow, Cory
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
