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ahead

[ UK /ɐhˈɛd/ ]
[ US /əˈhɛd/ ]
ADVERB
  1. leading or ahead in a competition
    way out front in the race
    our candidate is in the lead in the polls
    the advertising campaign put them out front in sales
    the horse was three lengths ahead going into the home stretch
    ahead by two pawns
  2. toward the future; forward in time
    I like to look ahead in imagination to what the future may bring
    I look forward to seeing you
  3. ahead of time; in anticipation
    when you pay ahead (or in advance) you receive a discount
    We like to plan ahead
    should have made reservations beforehand
  4. at or in the front
    the road ahead is foggy
    we couldn't see over the heads of the people in front
    with the cross of Jesus marching on before
    I see the lights of a town ahead
    staring straight ahead
  5. in a forward direction
    the boat lurched ahead
    the train moved ahead slowly
    go ahead
    moved onward into the forest
    they went slowly forward in the mud
  6. to a more advanced or advantageous position
    a young man sure to get ahead
    pushing talented students ahead
  7. to a different or a more advanced time (meaning advanced either toward the present or toward the future)
    moved the appointment ahead from Tuesday to Monday
    pushed the deadline ahead from Tuesday to Wednesday
ADJECTIVE
  1. having the leading position or higher score in a contest
    the leading team in the pennant race
    he is ahead by a pawn
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How To Use ahead In A Sentence

  • She is daunted by the task ahead in the second of the six-part series. The Sun
  • Jane's language skills enabled her to forge ahead on the career ladder.
  • You could get the go-ahead for a project that means a lot to you. The Sun
  • We've got a lot of hard work ahead.
  • The administration will lose a lot of respect in my eyes if this goes ahead.
  • If I wanted to find blogs written in Welsh, then I have a bit of a challenge ahead of me.
  • Hence the salty relish of the prospect that lies ahead. Times, Sunday Times
  • Filming went ahead in spite of the bad weather.
  • Suddenly I heard a clash of metal on metal which brought me out of my thoughts - I looked up and found I could see two people fencing ahead.
  • He wears tee shirts and a designer stubble and is always two steps ahead of himself.
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