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.

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

BEFORE definition: 1. at or during a time earlier than (the thing mentioned): 2. until (the event mentioned): 3. in…. Learn more.

Define before. before synonyms, before pronunciation, before translation, English dictionary definition of before. adv. 1. Earlier in time: They called me the day before.

Never before had he felt such repulsion when the vicar displayed his characteristic bluntness or coarseness of speech. In the present connexion—or rather as a transition from the subject that started their conversation—such talk had been distressingly out of place.

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.

In preference to; rather than. Anterior to in time; previous to: as, I shall return before six o'clock. Under the action, influence, or power of. Figuratively and colloquially, in prosperous circumstances; out of debt or difficulty. Previous to the time when: formerly sometimes followed by that. Sooner than; rather than.