priority
Americannoun
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the state or quality of being earlier in time, occurrence, etc.
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the right to precede others in order, rank, privilege, etc.; precedence.
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the right to take precedence in obtaining certain supplies, services, facilities, etc., especially during a shortage.
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something given special attention.
adjective
noun
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the condition of being prior; antecedence; precedence
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the right of precedence over others
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something given specified attention
my first priority
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of priority
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French priorite, from Medieval Latin priōritās; see prior 1, -ity
Explanation
When a group or a person cares about one thing over all others, that’s the top priority. “After the flood, finding a place to live became their first priority.” Priority comes from the word prior, which means to come before something else. A priority is the concern, interest or desire that comes before all others. “His first priority was to establish his career and get married later.” “When seeking the perfect wave, Jeff and Wayne made it their priority to be the first surfers on the beach.” "The new CEO's top priority was firing her predecessor's hires."
Vocabulary lists containing priority
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
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List 8
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Bush's Address on 9/11
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Pakistan has always strived for maintaining peace and stability in the region, but at the same time the safety and security of our citizens remains our top priority," Tarar said.
From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026
Phil, he said his first priority was to conduct “Cantata Criolla.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026
Amazon will temporarily lose priority status for its satellites after July 30 until either 20 months have passed or half of its constellation is operational, the agency said.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 9, 2026
All of the experts I spoke with emphasized that responding well is necessary not just to save lives but also to contain the spread—a priority of governments the world over.
From Slate • Jun. 9, 2026
“Put it on the list,” Mom says from across the room, and continues to be barked at by Dad about how he has an interview today and shouldn’t that be the priority?
From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
