Prior

biographical name

ˈprī(-ə)r 

Matthew 1664–1721 English poet

Kids Definition

prior

1 of 2 noun

pri·​or ˈprī(-ə)r 

: a monk who is head of a priory

prior

2 of 2 adjective

1

: earlier in time or order : previous

better than in prior years

without prior warning

2

: being more important than something else : having priority

has a prior claim to our attention

Legal Definition

prior

adjective

pri·​or

ˈprī-ər

1

: earlier in time or order

2

: taking precedence (as in importance)

a prior lien