From a- + head.

• IPA: /əˈhɛd/

ahead (not comparable)

1. At or towards the front; in the direction one is facing or moving.

   The island was directly ahead.

   Just ahead you can see the cliffs.

   Keep going straight ahead.

2. So as to be further advanced, either spatially or in an abstract sense; to be superior.

   He finished two laps ahead of me.

   In all of his classes Jack was ahead.

3. To be winning or in an advantageous position.
4. In or for the future.

   There may be tough times ahead.

   You've got to think ahead so as not to be unprepared.

5. To a later time.

   Set the clock ahead an hour.

   Push the deadline ahead a day, from the 20th to the 21st.

6. At an earlier time; beforehand; in advance.

   He paid his rent ahead.

7. To an earlier time.

   Push the deadline ahead a day, from the 21st to the 20th.

   • 1985, Congressional Quarterly Weekly Report, volume 43, page 606:

     […] committees in Congress hae a March 15 deadline for reporting their "views and estimates" to the budget committees. The Senate Republican leadership, eager to get a jump on the annual budget process, moved the deadline ahead to March 1 for Senate committees.

• (nautical) astern
• behind

• ahead of

• French: devant
• German: vorn, voraus
• Italian: avanti
• Portuguese: à frente (in the front), para frente (to the front)
• Russian: вперёд
• Spanish: al frente de, delante de, adelante

• Italian: avanti

• Italian: anticipatamente, al futuro, anzitempo

• Italian: antecedentemente, in anticipo
• Portuguese: adiantado