before

1 conjunction

1 earlier than the time when something happens: Say goodbye before you go. | It will be sometime before we know the full results.

2 so that something bad does not happen: Put that money somewhere safe before it gets stolen. | That dog ought to be destroyed before it attacks any more children.

3 used to say that your are willing to suffer or do something unpleasant rather than do something that you do not want to do: He will die before he tells them what they want to know.

4 before you know it spoken used to say that something will happen very soon: We'd better set off or it will be dark before we know it.

5 used to warn someone not to laugh at, criticize etc someone or something because they have faults and weaknesses themselves: Before the chairman starts attacking committee members he ought to remember his own mistakes.

6 used to warn someone that you will do something unpleasant or harmful to them if they do not do something: Get out before I call the police.

2 preposition

1 earlier than something: I usually take a shower before having my breakfast. | The new road should be completed before the end of the year. | He arrived home before me. | the day before yesterday (=two days ago)

-see front 1

2 ahead of someone or something else in a list or order: I think you were before me in the queue.

3 in the same place, or in front of a person or crowd of people: Italy will face Brazil this afternoon before a crowd of 100,000 spectators.

4 if something such as a report or evidence is put before a person or group of people they must consider it and make a decision about it: The proposal was put before the planning committee.

5 if one quality or person comes before another, it is more important than it: I put my wife and kids before anyone else. | Quality must come before quantity in my opinion.

6 formal in front of: The priest stood before the altar. | The great plain stretched out before them.

7 if one place is before another place it is a particular distance in front of that place as you travel towards it: The pub is 100m before the church on the right.

8 formal if there is a job or situation before you, you have to do the job or face the situation soon: 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.

10 formal if you show a particular reaction before someone or something you react in that way: She trembled before the prospect of meeting him again.

3 adverb

1 at an earlier time: Haven't we met before? | I thought she might take notice of what I said but she just carries on as before. | the day/week/month before: Last week she was in Paris, and the week before she was in Rome. | before long: I expect the bus will be here before long. | The kids were playing in the mud and before long they were covered in it.

2 old use ahead of someone or something else: The king's herald walked before.