a previous event, period, or thing happened or existed before the one that you are talking aboutThis issue was discussed in the previous chapter.
Neighbours said they had seen the man in the area on two previous occasions.
The previous owners of the house had hired an expensive interior decorator.
Mark has two children from a previous marriage.
the previous day/week/month etc: All the other guests had arrived the previous day.
previous experience/knowledge: No previous experience is required.
previous conviction/offence (=a crime that someone committed before this one): She had a number of previous convictions for theft.