against: Meaning and Definition of

a•gainst

Pronunciation: (u-genst', u-gānst'), [key]
— prep.
  1. in opposition to; contrary to; adverse or hostile to: twenty votes against ten; against reason.
  2. in resistance to or defense from: protection against burglars.
  3. in an opposite direction to: to ride against the wind.
  4. into contact or collision with; toward; upon: The rain beat against the window.
  5. in contact with: to lean against the wall.
  6. in preparation for; in provision for: money saved against a rainy day.
  7. having as background: a design of flowers against a dark wall.
  8. in exchange for; as a balance to or debit or charge on: He asked for an advance against his salary.
  9. in competition with: a racehorse running against his own record time.
  10. in comparison or contrast with: a matter of reason as against emotion.
  11. beside; near; before: The car is against the building.
  12. in contrast with: the rich over against the poor.
—conj.
  1. before; by the time that.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.