The meaning of PRE- is earlier than : prior to : before. How to use pre- in a sentence.

PRE- definition: a prefix occurring originally in loanwords from Latin, where it meant “before” (preclude; prevent ); applied freely as a prefix, with the meanings “prior to,” “in advance of,” “early,” …

before (a time or an event): precooked food a preexisting condition (Definition of pre- from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

Feb 8, 2026 · Before; earlier in time; beforehand. This prefix is usually prefixed to words without using a hyphen (for example, prefix, predate). A hyphen is used in the following cases:

pre-, prefix. pre- comes from Latin, where it has the meaning "before, in front of,'' "prior to, in advance of,'' "being more than, surpassing'': pre- + -dict → predict (= say in advance of something);

Learn 100+ words with the prefix pre like preach, preacher, preamble, precede and more with examples for easy English learning.

Pre- is used to form words that indicate that something takes place before a particular date, period, or event. ...his pre-war job. ...pre-1971 cars. ...life in pre-industrial England.

before in time, rank, order, position, etc: predate; pre-eminent; premeditation; prefrontal; preschool.

Pre- definition: Anterior; in front of.

This is a compound of prae- "before" (see pre-) + -hendere, from PIE root *ghend- "to seize, take." The sense of "seizure on behalf of authority" is 1570s; that of "anticipation" (usually with dread), "fear of …