beforehand

adverb or adjective

be·​fore·​hand bi-ˈfȯr-ˌhand 

bē-

1

a

: in anticipation

b

: in advance

2

: ahead of time : early

Synonyms of beforehand

• early
• immediately

Examples of beforehand in a Sentence

if you arrive beforehand, we won't be entirely prepared yet

if you get ready beforehand, you won't have to rush at the last minute

Recent Examples on the Web

The decision-making was done beforehand; execution became mechanical. —Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2026

Note that pie availability is typically while supplies last and preordering or calling beforehand is recommended. —Cathy Kozlowicz, jsonline.com, 3 Mar. 2026

Surely the 49ers would prefer to get this done well beforehand so Williams can be with the team all summer while turning 38 on July 19. —Chris Biderman march 3, Sacbee.com, 3 Mar. 2026

Keeping in mind that the system only knew about a fraction of these cases beforehand, beefing up investigations alone won’t fix the problem. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for beforehand

• analysand
• misunderstand
• ampersand
• behindhand
• bottomland
• contraband
• countermand
• dixieland
• fairyland
• fatherland
• firebrand
• hinterland

Kids Definition

beforehand

adverb

be·​fore·​hand -ˌhand 

: ahead of time : in advance