prior notice/warning/consultation etc Illegally parked cars may be removed at any time without prior notice. 违章停放的车辆可不事先通知就给予挪移。

a prior arrangement/engagement I’ m afraid I won’ t be able to come. I’ ve got a prior engagement. 我恐怕不能来了。我已经和别人有约在先。

prior knowledge/experience students with no prior knowledge of the target language 对目的语言无基础知识的学生

The questions had been asked prior to my arrival. 这些问题在我到达之前就已提出了。

The plane seemed to catch fire a few seconds prior to taking off. 飞机好像起飞前几秒就着火了。