before

be|fore¹ W1S1 [bıˈfo: US -ˈfo:r] conj

1.) earlier than a particular event or action

≠ ↑after

▪ Say goodbye before you go.

▪ I saw her a few days before she died.

see usage note ↑ago

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.

before ²

before² W1S1 prep

[: Old English; Origin: beforan, from foran 'before', from fore; FORE-]

1.) earlier than something or someone

≠ ↑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 sth

▪ Hugh arrived just five minutes before the ceremony.

before doing sth

▪ 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.

see usage note ↑ago

2.) ahead of someone or something else in a list or order

≠ ↑after

▪ I think you were before me in the queue.

▪ The files are arranged in alphabetical order, so B1 comes before C1.

3.) used to say that something happens where it can be watched by people

▪ 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.

▪ The men are due to appear before the court tomorrow.

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

≠ ↑after

▪ The pub is 100m 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

▪ 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

▪ We had a glorious summer afternoon before us to do as we pleased.

▪ You have your whole life before you.

before ³

before³ W2S1 adv

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

▪ 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.