Before

Before is a versatile English word that functions as a preposition, adverb, and sometimes a conjunction. As a preposition, it indicates earlier time or prior order, as in "She arrived before noon" or "Before the meeting, please sign in." As an adverb, it points to an event that occurred earlier, for example, "I had met him before." As a conjunction, it can link actions or clauses in time, as in "Lock the door before you leave."

In usage, before often introduces temporal phrases or subordinate clauses that establish precedence or sequencing. It can express anticipation or comparison with later events, and it contrasts with after, during, or since in discussions of time and order. In negative constructions and questions, it helps clarify timelines, such as "Had you eaten before?" or "What happened before?"

Etymology and sense have roots in Old English, with beforan (or befaran in some spellings) meaning "in front of" or "ahead of," ultimately tracing to the idea of preceding in space or time. The modern usage retains that sense of priority, whether referencing before a moment, before an event, or before another item in a sequence.

Culturally, the word appears in numerous works as part of titles or themes. Notably, Richard Linklater’s film trilogy uses the word in its titles: Before Sunrise (1995), Before Sunset (2004), and Before Midnight (2013). Beyond titles, Before serves as a common motif in literature, film, and music to signify antecedent moments, memory, and anticipation.