prioritize
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
verb
-
to arrange (items to be attended to) in order of their relative importance
-
to give priority to or establish as a priority
Spelling
See -ize.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
have prioritizedperfect
-
are prioritizingprogressive
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has prioritizedperfect 3rd person singular
-
have been prioritizingperfect progressive
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prioritizingparticiple
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prioritizessingular 3rd person
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has been prioritizingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
is prioritizingprogressive 3rd person singular
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am prioritizingprogressive 1st person singular
Past
-
had prioritizedperfect
-
prioritizedparticiple
-
was prioritizingprogressive singular
-
were prioritizingprogressive plural
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had been prioritizingperfect progressive
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prioritizedsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of prioritize
First recorded in 1965–70; priorit(y) + -ize
Explanation
Prioritize means to rank in order of importance. There are so many great clubs and activities to get involved in––you should be sure to prioritize the ones you like, or you'll get burned out. Prioritize can also mean to set something at the top of a ranking system. By prioritizing healthy eating and exercise, you can lose weight and stay in shape. In the same way, when something is a priority, it usually means it has a high priority, or as some like to say, "priority number one."
Vocabulary lists containing prioritize
President Obama's Farewell Address
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Academic Vocabulary Toolkit 1, Words 71-80
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This Week in Words: January 20 - 26, 2018
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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.
Many teens now prioritize coursework, test prep and other pursuits to impress college-admissions officers, but a lack of work experience is worsening their employment prospects after graduating.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 8, 2026
WSJ | Buy Side: The best dad shoes prioritize comfort and practicality without compromising style.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026
I’m ready to represent the communities that I grew up in and love to prioritize investments that alleviate the pain that too many working families are experiencing.
From Salon • Jun. 2, 2026
“Edge AI has not yet taken off, but its long-term potential is substantial as consumers and enterprises increasingly prioritize low-latency, privacy-preserving, and cost-efficient AI experiences over cloud dependence,” Malik wrote.
From Barron's • Jun. 1, 2026
“Let’s prioritize, shall we? To start, you seem to be in a spot of trouble.”
From "Half Upon a Time" by James Riley
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.
