prior to

preposition

: in advance of : before
Usage of Prior to

Sometimes termed pompous or affected, prior to is a synonym of before that most often appears in rather formal contexts, such as the annual reports of corporations. It may occasionally emphasize the notion of anticipation.

page makeup decisions are verified and approved prior to typesetting Publishers Weekly

Examples of prior to in a Sentence

make sure all revisions are approved by the author prior to publication
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Franco Colapinto of Argentina and Alpine F1 on the drivers parade prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 29, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria. Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025 Below are dividend history charts for AXP, GL, and CSCO, showing historical dividends prior to the most recent ones declared. Dividend Channel, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 First, assess the event space and come up with a security plan; have a pre-determined incident commander in the case of an emergency; and adequately train first-responders and other officials prior to an event. Audrey Conklin, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025 All customers will receive an email informing them of the sale prior to closure of the acquisition, the company said. Max Zahn, ABC News, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for prior to

Word History

First Known Use

1706, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prior to was in 1706

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Cite this Entry

“Prior to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prior%20to. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

prior to

preposition
: in advance of : before

More from Merriam-Webster on prior to

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