before

UK: /bɪˈfɔː^r/ US: /bɪˈfɔr/ ,(bi fôr′, -fōr′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

be•fore /bɪˈfɔr/   prep. 

1. previous to;
   earlier than:
   Call me before noon.
2. in front or ahead of:
   She stood before the window.
3. in preference to;
   rather than:
   They would die before surrendering.
4. in the presence or sight of:
   hated to appear before a live audience.
5. under the consideration or jurisdiction of:
   She was summoned before a magistrate.
6. viewed by;
   as seen and judged by:
   a crime before God and humanity.
7. without figuring or deducting: What is your gross income before deductions?

adv. 

8. in time preceding;
   previously: Haven't we met somewhere before?
9. earlier or sooner:
   I think I saw her the week before.

conj. 

10. previous to the time when:
    See me before you go.
11. sooner than;
    rather than:
    I will die before I give in.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

be•fore  (bi fôr′, -fōr′), prep. 

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.

adv. 

13. in front;
    in advance;
    ahead:
    The king entered with macebearers walking before.
14. in time preceding;
    previously:
    If we'd known before, we'd have let you know.
15. earlier or sooner:
    Begin at noon, not before.

conj. 

16. previous to the time when:
    Send the telegram before we go.
17. sooner than;
    rather than:
    I will die before I submit.

• Middle English beforen, Old English beforan, equivalent. to be by + foran before (fore fore¹ + -an adverb, adverbial suffix) bef. 1000

Antonyms

• 13. after, behind.
• 14. afterward.
• 15. later.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

before / bɪˈfɔː/ conjunction (subordinating)

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. in the presence of: to be brought before a judge
3. in preference to: to put friendship before money

adverb

1. at an earlier time; previously; beforehand; in front

adjective

1. belong to the period that preceded a notable event: the before times

Etymology: Old English beforan; related to Old Frisian befara, Old High German bifora