The meaning of PRIOR is earlier in time or order. How to use prior in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Prior.

PRIOR definition: preceding in time or in order; earlier or former; previous. See examples of prior used in a sentence.

PRIOR definition: 1. existing or happening before something else, or before a particular time: 2. before a…. Learn more.

Usage Note: Though prior usually modifies a noun that comes after it, as in prior approval, it sometimes modifies a noun for a unit of time which precedes it, as in five years prior.

3 days ago · This adjective has no positive form; rather, it serves as the comparative (prior) and superlative (prīmus) of the preposition prae. (Compare the preposition post, with comparative …

A prior claim or duty is more important than other claims or duties and needs to be dealt with first. The firm I wanted to use had prior commitments.

There are six meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun prior, two of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

PRIOR meaning: 1 : existing earlier in time previous; 2 : more important than something else because it came first

Prior refers to something that comes before or takes precedence over something else. It can be used as a noun to refer to a previous occurrence or condition, or as an adjective to describe something that …

"Before" is a more commonly used word and is often used to refer to the time preceding a specific event or point in time. On the other hand, "prior" is a slightly more formal term and is often used in more …