BEFORE


Meaning of BEFORE in English

I. be ‧ fore 1 S1 W1 /bɪˈfɔː $ -ˈfɔːr/ BrE AmE conjunction

1 . earlier than a particular event or action OPP after :

Say goodbye before you go.

I saw her a few days before she died.

2 . so that something does not or cannot happen:

Put that money somewhere safe before it gets stolen.

That dog ought to be destroyed before it attacks any more children.

Before I could say anything more, Holmes had rushed off towards the station.

3 . used to say that something happens after a period of time:

It was several minutes before we realised what was happening.

It will be a while before we know the results.

4 . used to say that something must happen in order for something else to be possible:

You have to pass a test before you can get a licence.

5 . spoken used to warn someone that something bad will happen to them if they do not do something:

Get out before I call the police!

6 . used to emphasize that someone does not want to do something:

She would die before she would admit she was wrong.

• • •

GRAMMAR

In a clause beginning with before that refers to the future, use the present tense or present perfect, not 'will':

I want to get home before it rains (NOT before it will rain).

II. before 2 S1 W1 BrE AmE preposition

[ Language: Old English ; Origin: beforan , from foran 'before' , from fore ; ⇨ ↑ fore- ]

1 . earlier than something or someone OPP after :

The new road should be completed before the end of the year.

Let’s meet at our house before the show.

Larry arrived home before me.

five minutes/two hours etc before something

Hugh arrived just five minutes before the ceremony.

before doing something

I usually take a shower before having my breakfast.

We only got back from Scotland the day before yesterday (=two days ago) .

Other students joined in the protest, and before long (=soon) there was a crowd of 200 or so.

2 . ahead of someone or something else in a list or order OPP after :

You were before me in the queue.

The files are in alphabetical order, so B1 comes before C1.

3 . used to say that something happens where it can be watched by people SYN in front of :

Italy will face Brazil this afternoon before a crowd of 100,000 spectators.

an actor who had performed before the Queen

4 . used to say that someone or something comes to be judged or considered by a person or group of people:

The proposal was put before the planning committee.

5 . used to say that one thing or person is considered more important than another:

I put my wife and kids before anyone else.

In the air transport business, safety must always come before profit.

6 . formal in front of something or someone:

The priest stood before the altar.

The sea stretched out before them.

7 . if one place is before another place on a road or journey, the first place is nearer to you than the second, so you will reach it first OPP after :

The pub is 100 m before the church on the right.

the last station before the Simplon Tunnel

8 . formal if there is a job or situation before you, you will have to do the job or face the situation SYN ahead of :

The task of emptying the house lay before us.

9 . formal if a period of time is before you, it is about to start and you can do what you want during it SYN in front of :

We had a glorious summer afternoon before us to do as we pleased.

You have your whole life before you.

• • •

THESAURUS

▪ before earlier than something or someone:

She could read before she started school.

|

Do you want to have a shower before me?

▪ prior to formal before something happens:

Please arrive at the airport two hours prior to departure.

▪ by no later than a particular time or date:

The children are usually in bed by 9 o'clock.

|

We have to be out of our hotel room by 10 o'clock.

▪ earlier before now, or before the time you are talking about:

I saw her earlier.

|

I had sent the letter earlier in the week.

▪ previously before now, or before a time in the past:

He previously worked as an electrician.

|

The show starred a previously unknown actress called Jennifer Aniston.

▪ in advance before something happens – used especially when talking about the arrangements for something:

Let me know in advance if you are going to be late.

|

The landlord wants three months’ rent in advance.

▪ beforehand ( also ahead of time ) before something happens, especially so that you are ready:

I wish we had known about all this beforehand.

|

It’s always best to decide beforehand how much you want to pay.

III. before 3 S1 W1 BrE AmE adverb

1 . at an earlier time:

Haven’t I met you before somewhere?

Never before had he seen so many people starving.

She looked just the same as before.

2 . the day/week/month etc before the previous day, week, month etc OPP after :

She was in Paris last week and in Rome the week before.

3 . old use ahead of someone or something else:

The king’s herald walked before.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English.      Longman - Словарь современного английского языка.