priority

American  

[prahy-awr-i-tee, -or-] / praɪˈɔr ɪ ti, -ˈɒr- /

noun

• priorities
  plural

1. the state or quality of being earlier in time, occurrence, etc.

2. the right to precede others in order, rank, privilege, etc.; precedence.

3. the right to take precedence in obtaining certain supplies, services, facilities, etc., especially during a shortage.

4. something given special attention.

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adjective

1. highest or higher in importance, rank, privilege, etc..

   a priority task.

priority British  

/ praɪˈɒrɪtɪ /

noun

1. the condition of being prior; antecedence; precedence

2. the right of precedence over others

3. something given specified attention

   my first priority

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonpriority
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• priorities
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of priority

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French priorite, from Medieval Latin priōritās; see prior ¹, -ity

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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."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

priority priorities

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration has made land return for California tribes a priority.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 31, 2026

Deputy Tom Rylatt, from Forward Guernsey, said the review should "be a priority for P&R" and the delay was disappointing.

From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2026

It marks them as a priority for targeted surveys that go looking rather than waiting for the next accidental catch.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 30, 2026

The company’s global strategy turns on Farley’s emphasis to no longer make “boring” vehicles, which for now has left it without the budget-friendly small sedans and SUVs it used to give priority to.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026

I’m living out of a suitcase—packing a nice dress wasn’t a priority.

From "Starfish" by Akemi Dawn Bowman

Whoever wins will be charged with a long list of priorities, including navigating tensions with the federal government over immigration enforcement and helping keep millions of people safe during the 2028 Olympic Games.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 31, 2026

"We need to see concrete priorities coming out of the negotiations. But unfortunately, this is not the case yet," Irene Wabiwa from Greenpeace International told reporters on Thursday.

From Barron's ● Oct. 30, 2026

While you would expect that classic cars and motor racing still feature heavily in his life, Hammond is aware that his priorities have shifted.

From BBC ● Oct. 29, 2026

Higher energy prices are drawing capital to Canada’s energy patch, and Macklem said officials also expect other resource and trade-infrastructure projects categorized as national priorities by Prime Minister Mark Carney to begin rolling out.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 28, 2026

“You didn’t need to be such a jerk,” I said, shouldering past him as my stomach rumbled, reminding me of my priorities.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

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Related Words

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