- (a.) First, precedent or superior in the order of cognition, reason or generality, origin, development, rank, etc.
- (a.) Preceding in the order of time; former; antecedent; anterior; previous; as, a prior discovery; prior obligation; -- used elliptically in cases like the following: he lived alone [in the time] prior to his marriage.
- (a.) The superior of a priory, and next below an abbot in dignity.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
| APA | Webster's. (2011). prior. Retrieved September 22, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/prior/definitions/2049290 |
| Chicago | Webster's. 2011. "prior" http://smartdefine.org/prior/definitions/2049290 (accessed September 22, 2026). |
| Harvard | Webster's 2011, prior, Smart Define, viewed 22 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/prior/definitions/2049290>. |
| MLA | Webster's. "prior" 27 May 2011. Web. 22 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/prior/definitions/2049290> |