Definition of ANTERIOR

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adjective an·te·ri·or \an-ˈtir-ē-ər\

Definition of anterior

1a : situated before or toward the front an anterior ligamentb : situated near or toward the head or part most nearly corresponding to a head
2 : coming before in time or development labor problems anterior to the strike

anteriorly

adverb

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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 of anterior from the Web

Indiana signed West for $20 million over two years coming off an anterior cruciate ligament tear and his numbers dropped a bit from his New Orleans days, but there was no doubting his impact.

— nat newell, Indianapolis Star, "Ranking every free agent the Pacers have signed", 28 June 2017
The team announced Friday that Urias will undergo anterior capsule surgery on his left shoulder.

— connor grossman, SI.com, "Dodgers pitcher Julio Urias to undergo shoulder surgery, out for season", 24 June 2017
The 20-year-old will undergo anterior capsule surgery on his left shoulder after suffering the injury during a minor league outing in Oklahoma City on June 10.

— carter karels, USA TODAY, "Julio Urias of Los Angeles Dodgers needs season-ending surgery", 23 June 2017
The left-hander needs anterior capsule surgery in his left shoulder, a procedure that will sideline him for the next 12 to 14 months.

— connor grossman, SI.com, "Starting Nine: Plenty of on—and off—field drama to go around as baseball hits the weekend", 23 June 2017
The Baltimore Ravens have been particularly hard hit this offseason with the torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered by cornerback Tavon Young and the hip injury, reportedly career threatening, suffered by tight end Dennis Pitta.

— mark maske, The Denver Post, "Whatever happened to the expanded NFL playoffs?", 5 June 2017
In February 2007 with the Clippers, Livingston tore three major ligaments in his knee — the anterior cruciate, posterior cruciate and medial collateral as well as his lateral meniscus, then required extensive surgery.

— janie mccauley, The Seattle Times, "Like Shaun Livingston, JaVale McGee perfect fit on Warriors", 29 May 2017
The Oregon group, by pulsing the light at the same frequency found in human theta waves (eight hertz), were able to switch on the neurons in the anterior cingulate cortexes of the mice.

— gretchen reynolds, New York Times, "Of Mice and Mindfulness", 18 May 2017
A trunk stabilization program - to address any excessive anterior pelvic tilt, which can tighten the hamstring when standing.

— saint nick, NOLA.com, "Optimum Performance: Is the hamstring Marshon Lattimore's Achilles Heel", 12 May 2017

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.

Did You Know?

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.

Origin and Etymology of anterior

Latin, comparative of ante before — more at ante-

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First Known Use: 1541

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of 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

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

ANTERIOR Defined for English Language Learners

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adjective

Definition of anterior for English Language Learners

: near or toward the front of something (such as the body)

Medical Dictionary

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adjective an·te·ri·or \an-ˈtir-ē-ər\

Medical Definition of anterior

1: relating to or situated near or toward the head or toward the part in headless animals most nearly corresponding to the head
2: situated toward the front of the body : ventral—used in human anatomy because of the upright posture of humans