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

Deep tech -- innovation based on major scientific or engineering advances such as artificial intelligence, biotech and quantum computing -- returned in 2025 to its pre-2021 levels, according to the IIA.

From Barron's

This calcium surge further activates the myCAFs, encouraging pre cancerous growth.

From Science Daily

But neither of them much resembles their pre-1980 identities today, and what they will look like in the future is anyone’s guess.

From Salon

"A soulmate is just simply found. It's already pre‑made. But a one and only is something two people carve out together over years of adapting, apologising, and occasionally gritting their teeth," he says.

From BBC

If hormones and pills can tilt who feels like "The One", then it becomes harder to argue there is a single, pre‑ordained match – which is where the mathematicians come in.

From BBC