Be·fore

/bəˈfôr/

preposition, conjunction, & adverb

1. during the period of time preceding (a particular event, date, or time).

"she had to rest before dinner."

synonyms: prior to, previous to, earlier than, preparatory to, in preparation for, preliminary to, in anticipation of, in expectation of; 

2. in front of.

"Elie stood before her, panting."

synonyms: ahead, in front, in advance, in the lead

"a small party went on before."