adv in advance.
2. before ·adv earlier; sooner than; until then.
3. before ·adv in time past; previously; already.
4. before ·prep under the cognizance or jurisdiction of.
5. before ·prep open for; free of access to; in the power of.
6. before ·prep an advance of; farther onward, in place or time.
7. before ·prep in presence or sight of; face to face with; facing.
8. before ·prep prior or preceding in dignity, order, rank, right, or worth; rather than.
9. before ·adv on the fore part; in front, or in the direction of the front;
opposed to in the rear.
10. before ·prep in front of; preceding in space; ahead of; as, to stand before the fire; before the house.
11. before ·prep preceding in time; earlier than; previously to; anterior to the time when;
sometimes with the additional idea of purpose; in order that.