during the period of time preceding a particular event or time

my playing days had ended six years before

it's never happened to me before

in front of someone or something

they began trotting through the city with guards running before and behind

in advance of the time when

they lived rough for four days before they were arrested

it wasn't long before I dozed off

in preference to (doing a particular thing)

they would die before they would cooperate with each other

during the period of time preceding (a particular event or time)

she had to rest before dinner

the day before yesterday

before the war

in front of

Matilda stood before her, panting

the patterns swam before her eyes

in preference to; rather than

a skilled warrior who places duty before all else