beforehand

adverb or adjective

be·​fore·​hand bi-ˈfȯr-ˌhand 

bē-

1

a

: in anticipation

b

: in advance

2

: ahead of time : early

Synonyms

• early
• inopportunely
• precociously
• prematurely
• unseasonably

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Sources claimed that the pair split a few weeks beforehand. —Wendy Geller, Peoplemag, 11 May 2023

In cases like Morton’s, where someone may be incapacitated for a long time, Klajbor said estate planning beforehand might be the best, proactive approach. —Talis Shelbourne, Journal Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2023

Start with a warm-up Just as with traditional exercise, Adkinson warms up beforehand, doing various stretches. —Melanie Radzicki Mcmanus, CNN, 7 Apr. 2023

If a significant political figure (or even a compelling gadfly) runs in the primaries, then the incumbent is effectively doomed in November or beforehand. —Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 3 Apr. 2023

Pro tips: While some forest areas have a sliver of cellphone service, get familiar with the loop beforehand and be prepared to navigate with offline maps. —Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2023

Smoked beforehand, the chicken’s wood flavors add a new, welcome dimension to the cheesy torpedo. —Cesar Hernandez, San Francisco Chronicle, 15 Mar. 2023

Consumers can book their visit beforehand via mobile app, eliminating the hassle of calling and speaking with a representative. —Jeff Fromm, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2023

In speeches at the conference, and in comments in the days beforehand, their tone resembled the 2017 security conference, which took place less than a month after Donald Trump was sworn in as president promising an America-first agenda that didn’t appreciate traditional alliances such as NATO. —Paul Kane, Washington Post, 18 Feb. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

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

Kids Definition

beforehand

adverb

be·​fore·​hand -ˌhand 

: ahead of time : in advance