Dictionary
prior to
preposition
Definition of PRIOR TO
: in advance of : before
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Usage Discussion 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>.
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First Known Use of PRIOR TO
1706
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