prioritize

American  

[prahy-awr-i-tahyz, -or-] / praɪˈɔr ɪˌtaɪz, -ˈɒr- /

especially British, prioritise

verb (used with object)

prioritized, prioritizing

1. to arrange or do in order of priority.

   learning to prioritize our assignments.

2. to give a high priority to.

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verb (used without object)

prioritized, prioritizing

1. to organize or deal with something according to its priority.

prioritize British  

/ praɪˈɒrɪˌtaɪz /

verb

1. to arrange (items to be attended to) in order of their relative importance

2. to give priority to or establish as a priority

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Spelling

See -ize.

Other Word Forms

• prioritization noun
• reprioritization noun
• reprioritize verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of prioritize

First recorded in 1965–70; priorit(y) + -ize

Example Sentences

The brain stops prioritizing these “expressways” and shifts back to segregation to lock in the pathways our brains use most.

From Science Daily

But that growth was offset by slower sales growth in general merchandise, a dynamic that reflects shoppers prioritizing their spending needs.

From The Wall Street Journal

The author contrasts these examples with pharmaceutical executives at Gilead Sciences who prioritized higher profits over patient access by pricing hepatitis C treatment at $84,000 rather than the minimum profitable $55,000.

From Los Angeles Times

Canada’s new “Defense Industrial Strategy” outlines a “build-partner-buy” framework, prioritizing defense exports and buying locally.

From Barron's

“It’s important to enter retirement with minimal high-interest debt and prioritize payoff before tapping investments.”

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• compute
• register
• set up