ahead

adverb or adjective

1
a
: in a forward direction or position : forward
b
: in front
2
: in, into, or for the future
plan ahead
3
: in or toward a more advantageous position
helped others to get ahead
4
: at or to an earlier time : in advance
make payments ahead
5
a
: in or into a leading position in a race or competition
a politician who is running ahead in most polls
Josh Carter scored from a yard out and the Pride added a two-point conversion to surge ahead 14-7.Cumberland (Maryland) Times-News
b baseball
(1)
of a pitcher : in or into the situation of having thrown more strikes than balls to a batter
Home run threat Mark Reynolds was up next with the bases loaded, but Colon quickly got ahead 1-2 in the count and struck the third baseman out swinging with a … fastball.Ray Monell
(2)
of a batter : in or into the situation of having a count of more balls than strikes
Albert Pujols got ahead 3-1 and then lined one into the seats in left for his 20th home run of the year and second of the series.John Fay

Examples of ahead in a Sentence

call ahead for reservations sent me ahead to get a place in the check-out line while she went to get the eggs and milk the line moved ahead at a snail's pace
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Smotrich canceled his trip to France to speak at the gala, citing security concerns, but at least two demonstrations went ahead, drawing hundreds of protesters. Chantal Da Silva, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024 The Bay Area Toll Authority’s commissioners voted to move ahead with the plan on May 8. Richard Halstead, The Mercury News, 11 Nov. 2024 Daniel makes the executive decision to bin it and go ahead with the shoot, cranking the gas up to 11. Jack King, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2024 Morrell is out ahead in Area 4 over business owner Michael Stannard with 54.67% of the vote. Alexcia Negrete, Orange County Register, 9 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ahead 

Word History

First Known Use

1568, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of ahead was in 1568

Dictionary Entries Near ahead

Cite this Entry

“Ahead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ahead. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

ahead

adverb or adjective
1
: in or toward the front
the road ahead
go ahead
2
: in, into, or for the future
think ahead
3
: in or toward a better position
came out $20 ahead on the deal
4
: at or to an earlier time : in advance
make payments ahead

More from Merriam-Webster on ahead

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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