adjective Coming before in order or time; earlier, former, previous.
His prior residence was smaller than his current one.
adjective More important or significant.
adjective 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 Chiefly followed by to: in advance, before, previously.
The doctor had known three months prior.
noun 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. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}
noun In the rationalsphere: a belief supported by previous evidence or experience that one can use to make inferences about the future.
noun A previous arrest or criminal conviction on someone's criminal record.
noun A high-ranking member of a religious house or religious order. In an abbey, the person ranking just after the abbot, appointed as his deputy; a prior claustral.