previous and prior imply existing or occurring earlier, but prior often adds an implication of greater importance.

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

Define prior. prior synonyms, prior pronunciation, prior translation, English dictionary definition of prior. adj. 1. Preceding in time or order: " insist that foreign vessels seeking access obtain 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.

OED's earliest evidence for prior is from 1607, in the writing of Barnabe Barnes, poet and playwright. It is also recorded as a noun from the Old English period (pre-1150).

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 …

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, …

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

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

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 …