Library / English Dictionary

BEFORE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (adverb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Earlier in time; previously

Example:

I mentioned that problem earlier

Synonyms:

before; earlier

Classified under:

Adverbs

Sense 2

Meaning:

At or in the front

Example:

with the cross of Jesus marching on before

Synonyms:

ahead; before; in front

Classified under:

Adverbs

Credits

 Context examples: 

Premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, is a group of symptoms that start before the period.

(Menstruation, NIH: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)

A traditional unit of distance equal to 5280 feet of Old British Imperial System, used before 1959 when the unified international definitions for units of British Imperial system were established.

(Mile British, NCI Thesaurus)

These antigens vary from person to person, and human leukocyte antigen tests are done before organ transplantation to find out if tissues match between a donor and a recipient.

(MHC Class II Protein, NCI Dictionary)

A developmental disorder characterized by less than average intelligence and significant limitations in adaptive behavior with onset before the age of 18.

(Mental Retardation, NCI Thesaurus)

Most miscarriages occur very early in the pregnancy, often before a woman even knows she is pregnant.

(Miscarriage, NIH: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)

A courtesy title used before the name of a woman without making a distinction between married and unmarried status.

(Ms, NCI Thesaurus)

MIN NOS is recommended for focal atypical lesions in genetically engineered mice before their neoplastic potential is known

(Mouse MIN NOS, NCI Thesaurus/MMHCC)

A response indicating that an individual has been much more socially active than before.

(Much More Socially Active Than Before, NCI Thesaurus)

A response indicating that an individual has been much less socially active than before.

(Much Less Socially Active Than Before, NCI Thesaurus)

To prevent it, doctors used to prescribe antibiotics before dental work or certain surgeries.

(Mitral Valve Prolapse, NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)