Explanation:

"Prior to" is a phrase that means "before" or "preceding in time." It is often used to indicate that something happened or existed earlier than a particular point in time or before a specific event. 

For example:

1. "The meeting will take place at 3 PM, and there will be a brief coffee break prior to the meeting." - This means there will be a coffee break before the meeting starts.
2. "The new policy will be implemented next month, and employees will receive training prior to the implementation date." - This indicates that the training will occur before the policy is put into effect.

In essence, "prior to" is a formal way of expressing that something occurred or will occur before a specified time or event. It is often used in more official or written contexts.