prior
2 ENTRIES FOUND:
Britannica Dictionary definition of PRIOR
always used before a noun
1
:
existing earlier in time
:
previous
-
prior approval
-
in prior years
-
Do you have a prior history of back problems?
-
The job requires prior experience in advertising.
-
The defendant had a prior record of convictions.
-
I'm sorry, but we have a prior commitment and can't come tonight.
-
The contract was canceled without prior notice. [=the contract was canceled right away]
2
formal
:
more important than something else because it came first
-
We have a prior claim to the estate.
prior to
somewhat formal
:
before (a time, event, etc.)
-
Prior to dinner, photographs of the wedding party will be taken.
-
My parents were married just prior to the war.
2
prior
/ˈprajɚ/
noun
plural
priors
2
prior
/ˈprajɚ/
noun
plural
priors
Britannica Dictionary definition of PRIOR
[count]
1
a
:
a monk who is the head of a religious house or order
b
:
a priest whose rank is just below that of an abbot
2
US, informal
:
a previous time of being arrested for or found guilty of a crime
-
The suspect has two priors for robbery. [=the suspect had been arrested/convicted twice before for robbery]
