The meaning of PRIOR is earlier in time or order.

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.

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.

Nov 9, 2025 · 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 …

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 (or prioress) is an ecclesiastical title for a superior in some religious orders. The word is derived from the Latin for "earlier" or "first". The office may head a local house, a region of …

pri•or1 (prī′ ər), adj. preceding in time or in order; earlier or former; previous: A prior agreement prevents me from accepting this. preceding in importance or privilege. Idioms prior to, …

Some common synonyms of prior are antecedent, anterior, foregoing, former, preceding, and previous. While all these words mean "being before," previous and prior imply existing or …