anterior

adjective

an·​te·​ri·​or an-ˈtir-ē-ər How to pronounce anterior (audio)
1
a
: situated before or toward the front
an anterior ligament
b
: situated near or toward the head or part most nearly corresponding to a head
2
: coming before in time or development
labor problems anterior to the strike
anteriorly adverb

Did you know?

Anterior generally appears in either medical or scholarly contexts. Anatomy books refer to the anterior lobe of the brain, the anterior cerebral artery, the anterior facial vein, etc. Scholar and lawyers may use anterior to mean "earlier in time or order". For example, supporters of states' rights point out that the individual states enjoyed certain rights anterior to their joining the union. And prenuptial agreements are designed to protect the assets that one or both parties acquired anterior to the marriage.

Choose the Right Synonym for anterior

preceding, antecedent, foregoing, previous, prior, former, anterior mean being before.

preceding usually implies being immediately before in time or in place.

the preceding sentence

antecedent applies to order in time and may suggest a causal relation.

conditions antecedent to the revolution

foregoing applies chiefly to statements.

the foregoing remarks

previous and prior imply existing or occurring earlier, but prior often adds an implication of greater importance.

a child from a previous marriage
a prior obligation

former implies always a definite comparison or contrast with something that is latter.

the former name of the company

anterior applies to position before or ahead of usually in space, sometimes in time or order.

the anterior lobe of the brain

Examples of anterior in a Sentence

the anterior part of the brain the anterior chamber of the eye is bounded in front by the cornea
Recent Examples on the Web But when arch rivals scored against their team, super fans also experienced a deactivation of the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC). Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 13 Feb. 2024 Forward Aaron Nesmith, who has missed the last three games with lower leg issues, is listed as questionable with a left tibialis anterior strain. Dustin Dopirak, The Indianapolis Star, 19 Jan. 2024 This situation is generally more serious than an anterior nosebleed because the blood can travel to your throat and even down into your stomach, potentially leading to nausea. Beth Krietsch, SELF, 15 Nov. 2023 On the other hand, the anterior insular cortex is highly involved with social interactions and emotions, including loneliness. Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 3 July 2023 Miura and his colleagues were expecting the activity of Hox genes to be different in the anterior and posterior of a worm. Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 8 Dec. 2023 The dumbbell overhead press is a pushing exercise that primarily works your anterior deltoids, or anterior delts, which are your front shoulder muscles, Evan Williams, CSCS, CPT, founder of E2G Performance, tells SELF. Jenny McCoy, SELF, 5 Dec. 2023 There is nothing authoritative that is conceived to be anterior, exterior, or superior to the self. M. D. Aeschliman, National Review, 25 Dec. 2023 The researchers observed that the men’s brain post-tear sniff exhibited less activity in the prefrontal cortex and the left anterior insula, regions that are associated with aggression and decision-making. Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 21 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'anterior.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin, comparative of ante before — more at ante-

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of anterior was in 1541

Dictionary Entries Near anterior

Cite this Entry

“Anterior.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anterior. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

anterior

adjective
an·​te·​ri·​or an-ˈtir-ē-ər How to pronounce anterior (audio)
1
: placed or being before or toward the front
2
: coming before in time
anteriorly adverb

Medical Definition

anterior

adjective
an·​te·​ri·​or an-ˈtir-ē-ər How to pronounce anterior (audio)
1
: relating to or situated near or toward the head or toward the part in headless animals most nearly corresponding to the head
2
: situated toward the front of the body : ventral
used in human anatomy because of the upright posture of humans
anteriorly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on anterior

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!