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

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."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

priority priorities

Getting faster and stronger takes priority no matter the time, no matter the place, no matter the situation.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2026

OpenAI will give priority to disclosing new types of misalignment, meaningful changes in known behavior and findings that challenge assumptions of current safeguards, Chen said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026

Nvidia's Huang told me last year that it was the invention and deployment of AI itself that was the initial priority, and he claimed the technology itself could help solve climate change.

From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026

Patrick Huey, an adviser in Naples, Fla., has been working with a couple with a 15-year age gap who have been giving priority to travel now, while the older spouse is still able.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 14, 2026

As the power plant is considered a critical water priority, Pete’s request for food and water had to be honored.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

At a public appearance in July, Dans cited the commission’s four priorities: military and national security, energy security, economic development in the Arctic and “what we’ll call ‘community security.’”

From Salon ● Sep. 16, 2026

Its ruling Communist Party has used five-year plans modelled on those of the former Soviet Union to set its development targets and social priorities since the 1950s.

From Barron's ● Sep. 16, 2026

Carney will hold a speech in the European Parliament there on Thursday, a day after President von der Leyen outlines the EU's political and policy priorities.

From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026

"In public health, we always know our most urgent priorities, but too often we don't have the immediate resources or in-house technical solutions to achieve them," said Shah.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 15, 2026

You just had to get your priorities straight.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French

Related Words

• arrangement
• preference