anterior

[an-teer-ee-er]

adjective

1. situated before or at the front of; fore (posterior ).

2. going before in time or sequence; preceding; earlier.

   events anterior to the outbreak of war.

3. Linguistics.,  (in distinctive feature analysis) articulated in the region extending from the alveolar ridge to the lips; alveolar, dental, or labial.

4. (in animals and embryos) pertaining to or toward the head or forward end of the body.

5. (in humans) pertaining to or toward the front plane of the body, equivalent to the ventral surface of quadrupeds.

6. Botany.,  on the front side and away from the main axis, as the lower lip of a flower.

anterior

/ ænˌtɪərɪˈɒrɪtɪ, ænˈtɪərɪə /

adjective

1. situated at or towards the front

2. earlier in time

3. zoology of or near the head end

4. botany (of part of a flower or leaf) situated farthest away from the main stem

Other Word Forms

• anteriority noun
• anteriorly adverb
• nonanterior adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of anterior¹

1535–45; < Latin, comparative of ante before, formed on model of posterior

Word History and Origins

Origin of anterior¹

C17: from Latin, comparative of ante before

Example Sentences

Sam Kerr, the Australian superstar striker, was also back in the squad for the first time in 20 months after her recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

From BBC

His coach running over to check on the player who had just torn his anterior cruciate ligament, Habermehl repeatedly yelled five words that reflected his love for the game.

From Los Angeles Times

The practice emerged in the thick of a 13-month recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

From Los Angeles Times

Thomas Frank is looking to bolster his options in the final third after attacking midfielder James Maddison was ruled out for the majority of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

From BBC

The Spain international spent most of the 2024-25 season sidelined as a result of suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament injury last September.

From BBC