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.