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

Ancient DNA provides a direct look at the genomes of individuals who lived closer in time to these events, allowing researchers to observe evolutionary changes before they were lost.

From Science Daily

An international research team has now developed a method for designing large new proteins better than before and producing them with the desired properties in the laboratory.

From Science Daily

The researchers found that adult chimpanzees were more likely to engage in social play before participating in group activities, such as monkey hunting or territorial defense against hostile outsiders.

From Science Daily

Taking anti-obesity drugs has led some U.S. adults to throw away more food than they tossed before starting the medications, a new study has found.

From Science Daily

The new observations reveal a star puffing out gas and dust, in the last stages before it becomes a supernova.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• since