anterior

adjective

an·​te·​ri·​or an-ˈtir-ē-ər 

1

a

: situated before or toward the front

an anterior ligament

b

: 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

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.

Synonyms of anterior

• front
• frontal

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

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

The condition, which can cause sudden vision loss, known as nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), is rare, and a causal relationship has not been established. — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2026

The eye condition, known as non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, or NAION, can cause significant vision loss. — CBS News, 9 Nov. 2026

The eye condition, known as non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, can cause significant vision loss. — Matthew Perrone, Chicago Tribune, 9 Nov. 2026

Holroyd’s lab is investigating both glutamate and lactate, an important energy source for the brain, as well as the contribution of the anterior cingulate cortex, a region of the brain involved in attention and decision-making. — Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 4 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin, comparative of ante before — more at ante-

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing anterior

• anterior chamber
• anterior cruciate ligament

Rhymes for anterior

• exterior
• inferior
• interior
• ulterior

Kids Definition

anterior

adjective

an·​te·​ri·​or an-ˈtir-ē-ər 

1

: placed or being before or toward the front

2

: coming before in time

anteriorly adverb

Medical Definition

anterior

adjective

an·​te·​ri·​or an-ˈtir-ē-ər 

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

anteriorly adverb