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.

before /bɪˈfɔː/ conj (subordinating) earlier than the time when rather than: he'll resign before he agrees to it prep preceding in space or time; in front of; ahead of: standing before the altar in the presence of: to be brought before a judge in preference to: to put friendship before money adv at an earlier time; previously; beforehand; in front adj belong to the period that preceded a ...

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: …

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.

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.