[bɪˈfɔː], (Adverb)

Definitions:
- during the period of time preceding a particular event or time
(e.g: my playing days had ended six years before)

- in front of someone or something
(e.g: they began trotting through the city with guards running before and behind)


Phrases:

Origin:
Old English beforan(see by, fore), of Germanic origin; related to German bevor

[bɪˈfɔː], (Conjunction)

Definitions:
- in advance of the time when
(e.g: they lived rough for four days before they were arrested)

- in preference to (doing a particular thing)
(e.g: they would die before they would cooperate with each other)


Phrases:

Origin:
Old English beforan(see by, fore), of Germanic origin; related to German bevor

[bɪˈfɔː], (Adposition)

Definitions:
- during the period of time preceding (a particular event or time)
(e.g: she had to rest before dinner)

- in front of
(e.g: Matilda stood before her, panting)

- in preference to; rather than
(e.g: a skilled warrior who places duty before all else)


Phrases:

Origin:
Old English beforan(see by, fore), of Germanic origin; related to German bevor