ahead ahead /əˈhɛd/

adjective

1. () Having the leading position or higher score in a contest  ( in the lead , ahead , leading )
   having the leading position or higher score in a contest
    He is ahead by a pawn
   he is ahead by a pawn
    The leading team in the pennant race
   the leading team in the pennant race
   

adverb

1. () At or in the front  ( before , ahead , in front )
   at or in the front
    I see the lights of a town ahead
   I see the lights of a town ahead
    The road ahead is foggy
   the road ahead is foggy
    Staring straight ahead
   staring straight ahead
    We couldn't see over the heads of the people in front
   we couldn't see over the heads of the people in front
    With the cross of Jesus marching on before
   with the cross of Jesus marching on before
   
2. () In a forward direction  ( forrader , forwards , onward , ahead , forward , onwards )
   in a forward direction
    Go ahead
   go ahead
    The train moved ahead slowly
   the train moved ahead slowly
    The boat lurched ahead
   the boat lurched ahead
    Moved onward into the forest
   moved onward into the forest
    They went slowly forward in the mud
   they went slowly forward in the mud
   
3. () Toward the future; forward in time  ( forward , ahead )
   toward the future; forward in time
    I like to look ahead in imagination to what the future may bring
   I like to look ahead in imagination to what the future may bring
    I look forward to seeing you
   I look forward to seeing you
   
4. () Ahead of time; in anticipation  ( beforehand , ahead , in advance )
   ahead of time; in anticipation
    When you pay ahead (or in advance) you receive a discount
   when you pay ahead (or in advance) you receive a discount
    We like to plan ahead
   We like to plan ahead
    Should have made reservations beforehand
   should have made reservations beforehand
   
5. Leading or ahead in a competition  ( ahead , out front , in the lead )
   leading or ahead in a competition
    The horse was three lengths ahead going into the home stretch
   the horse was three lengths ahead going into the home stretch
    Ahead by two pawns
   ahead by two pawns
    Our candidate is in the lead in the polls
   our candidate is in the lead in the polls
    Way out front in the race
   way out front in the race
    The advertising campaign put them out front in sales
   the advertising campaign put them out front in sales
   
6. To a different or a more advanced time (meaning advanced either toward the present or toward the future)  ( ahead )
   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
   moved the appointment ahead from Tuesday to Monday
    Pushed the deadline ahead from Tuesday to Wednesday
   pushed the deadline ahead from Tuesday to Wednesday
   
7. To a more advanced or advantageous position  ( ahead )
   to a more advanced or advantageous position
    A young man sure to get ahead
   a young man sure to get ahead
    Pushing talented students ahead
   pushing talented students ahead