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

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

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

Use the adjective prior for things that exist earlier in time or that happen first in time or order. This is a formal word that is often used in legal language. A prior claim is a person's right to …

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.

You use prior to indicate that something has already happened, or must happen, before another event takes place.

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 definition: Preceding in time or order.

Is it previous or prior? Prior and previous are two interchangeable adjectives that mean earlier. Previous is slightly more common, but either word will work in any context.

preceding in importance or privilege. Informal. a prior conviction. an officer in a monastic order or religious house, sometimes next in rank below an abbot. a chief magistrate, as in the medieval …