Definition of ANTERIOR

Choose the Right Synonym for anterior

preceding, antecedent, foregoing, previous, prior, former, anterior mean being before. preceding usually implies being immediately before in time or in place. the preceding sentence antecedent applies to order in time and may suggest a causal relation. conditions antecedent to the revolution foregoing applies chiefly to statements. the foregoing remarks previous and prior imply existing or occurring earlier, but prior often adds an implication of greater importance. a child from a previous marriage a prior obligation former implies always a definite comparison or contrast with something that is latter. the former name of the company anterior applies to position before or ahead of usually in space, sometimes in time or order. the anterior lobe of the brain

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Anterior generally appears in either medical or scholarly contexts. Anatomy books refer to the anterior lobe of the brain, the anterior cerebral artery, the anterior facial vein, etc. Scholar and lawyers may use anterior to mean "earlier in time or order". For example, supporters of states' rights point out that the individual states enjoyed certain rights anterior to their joining the union. And prenuptial agreements are designed to protect the assets that one or both parties acquired anterior to the marriage.

Examples of anterior in a Sentence

the anterior part of the brain the anterior chamber of the eye is bounded in front by the cornea

Recent Examples on the Web Neural spines Chevrons Muscle Cross section Vertebra 4 Cross section Vertebra 31 The anterior tail is stiffer and more muscular, providing propulsion. — National Geographic, "Reconstructing a gigantic aquatic predator," 29 Apr. 2020 Medics found a hard, bullet-like object in the woman's right lower anterior thoracic wall below the right breast. — Amy Woodyatt, CNN, "Woman's breast implant deflects bullet, saving her life," 21 Apr. 2020 Black landed a bit short on her vault at the final all-around event at the world championships in Stuttgart, Germany, and reportedly ruptured both the anterior talofibular and syndesmosis ligaments. — Lori Nickel, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Less than 5 months after ankle surgery, Canadian gymnast Ellie Black makes a strong comeback in Milwaukee," 7 Mar. 2020 For the second part of the experiment, Keysers and his team used anesthesia to temporarily numb the anterior cingulate cortexes of the rats who had showed harm aversion. — National Geographic, "THE BEST OF NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX," 5 Mar. 2020 For the centennial, perhaps any commemoration will be beamed directly to your anterior cingulate cortex, or thereabouts. — Caitlin Lovinger, New York Times, "Takes Stock?," 14 Feb. 2020 Follow-up studies in which the rubber hand was threatened by a stabbing motion with a needle showed increased activity in the anterior cingulate cortex, indicating the anticipation of pain. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "Study finds that the popular rubber hand illusion could be used to treat OCD," 20 Jan. 2020 That means cutting through lots of muscle and, according to medical commentary, a longer healing time than the anterior procedure. — Hermine Saunders, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Saunders: Facing preparation for surgery can be formidable, agonizing," 8 Dec. 2019 But Thompson says there is evidence that the man in the grave does not match Dillinger's eye color, fingerprints, anterior teeth, ears and head shape. — Ryan Prior, CNN, "Indiana approves plan to exhume John Dillinger's grave on New Year's Eve," 4 Oct. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'anterior.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.