anterior

American  

[an-teer-ee-er] / ænˈtɪər i ər /

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 British  

/ 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

Etymology

Origin of anterior

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

Example Sentences

On Jan. 30, Vonn suffered a complete rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee, with meniscus and bone damage, when she crashed during a downhill race in Crans Montana, Switzerland.

From Los Angeles Times

He has featured in 18 Premier League games this season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in 2024.

From BBC

Leger-Walker played her first four seasons at Washington State but tore her anterior cruciate ligament midway through her senior year.

From Los Angeles Times

He was limited to just three games in 2024 after he sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament at the end of the 2023 season.

From Los Angeles Times

Morris is still returning from an anterior cruciate ligament injury that has ruled her out for nine months, while Layzell has had multiple setbacks since impressing in a 2-0 win over Barcelona in October 2024.

From BBC