b4

Preposition

before

1. Earlier than (in time).
   • I want this done before Monday.

   Synonyms:

   by, no later than, previous to, prior to, ante, ere

   Antonyms:

   after, later than

2. In front of in space.
   • He stood before me.

   Synonyms:

   ahead of, in front of

   Antonyms:

   behind

3. In the presence of.
   • He performed before the troops in North Africa.
4. Under consideration, judgment, authority of (someone).
   • The case laid before the panel aroused nothing but ridicule.
5. In store for, in the future of (someone).
   • Your whole life is before you.
6. In front of, according to a formal system of ordering items.
   • In alphabetical order, "cat" comes before "dog", "canine" before feline".

   Synonyms:

   ahead of

   Antonyms:

   after

See all 15 meanings of before