Definition of "prior" in English

adjective

1. Coming before in order or time; earlier, former, previous.

   • His prior residence was smaller than his current one.
   • I had no prior knowledge you were coming.

2. More important or significant.

3. (Bayesian statistics) Chiefly in prior probability: of the probability of an event: determined without knowledge of the occurrence of other events that bear on it, before additional data is collected.

adverb

1. Chiefly followed by to: in advance, before, previously.

   • The doctor had known three months prior.

noun

1. (Bayesian statistics) A prior probability distribution, that is, one determined without knowledge of the occurrence of other events that bear on it, before additional data is collected.

2. (Canada, US, law enforcement, chiefly in the plural) A previous arrest or criminal conviction on someone's criminal record.

noun

1. (Christianity) A high-ranking member of a religious house or religious order.

2. A chief magistrate of the Republic of Florence (1115–1569) in what is now Italy.

3. The elected head of a guild of craftsmen or merchants in some countries in Europe and South America.

4. A person who is the earliest or most prominent in a field; the chief.

5. The head of a company.