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

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:

"A soulmate is just simply found. It's already pre‑made. But a one and only is something two people carve out together over years of adapting, apologising, and occasionally gritting their teeth," he says. …

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);

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

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.

Pre- definition: Anterior; in front of.

pre-, prefix meanings, etymology, pronunciation and more in the Oxford English Dictionary

Definition of pre- prefix in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.