The word before comes from the Old English beforan, meaning “in front of” or “in former times.” Before tells when something happens — don’t hire that guy before you check his references — or the position of something: the library is the last building before the intersection.

Definition of BEFORE in the Definitions.net dictionary. Meaning of BEFORE. What does BEFORE mean? Information and translations of BEFORE in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web.

Master the complete guide to using "before" in English. Learn its 3 grammatical roles, avoid common mistakes, and understand when to use before vs ago. Essential grammar knowledge explained clearly.

When one thing precedes another, it comes before. You put your socks on before your shoes, you close the door before you lock it, and you should make sure the store is open before you leave home.

The meaning of BEFORE is in advance : ahead. How to use before in a sentence.

Before is a preposition, an adverb and a conjunction. Before means earlier than the time or event mentioned: …

1. In advance of the time when: See me before you leave. 2. Rather than; sooner than: I will die before I will betray my country.

There are 38 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word before, four of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

adv. in front; in advance; ahead: The king entered with macebearers walking before. in time preceding; previously: If we'd known before, we'd have let you know. earlier or sooner: Begin at noon, not before. conj. previous to the time when: Send the telegram before we go. sooner than; rather than: I will die before I submit.