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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

“NewsNation got the last Republican primary debate, and for the pre- and postshow discussions, they didn’t have a single Democrat,” she said.

From Slate • Apr. 21, 2026

The IRS limit on total pre- and post-tax contributions is about $75,000, so I have been working the last few years to pad our Roth savings.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 13, 2026

“For example, organizations would be well-served to conduct both pre- and post-award due diligence on the activities of their grantees, funders, fiscal sponsors and partners.”

From Salon • Nov. 21, 2025

If investors react impulsively, the people who benefit will be the professionals: the hedge funds, proprietary traders, and algorithmic funds who already dominate pre- and postmarket trading and can take advantage of irrationally priced assets.

From Barron's • Oct. 23, 2025

I lay awake savoring it, every moment pre- cious as a jewel.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss