prioritize

[prahy-awr-i-tahyz, -or-]

See more synonyms for prioritize on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), pri·or·i·tized, pri·or·i·tiz·ing.

to arrange or do in order of priority: learning to prioritize our assignments.
to give a high priority to.

verb (used without object), pri·or·i·tized, pri·or·i·tiz·ing.

to organize or deal with something according to its priority.

Also especially British, pri·or·i·tise.

Origin of prioritize

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

Related formspri·or·i·ti·za·tion, nounre·pri·or·i·ti·za·tion, nounre·pri·or·i·tize, verb (used with object), re·pri·or·i·tized, re·pri·or·i·tiz·ing.

Usage note

See -ize.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for prioritize

register, compute, prioritize, feed, set, figure, process, design, poll, calculate, itemize, book, draft, schedule, slate, formulate, estimate, arrange, engage, edit

Examples from the Web for prioritize

Contemporary Examples of prioritize

RAWIYA: I learned several years ago that in these kinds of situations, I have to prioritize my own feelings.
The Unbearable Whiteness of Protesting
Rawiya Kameir, Judnick Mayard
December 10, 2014
Graham was asked what Republicans should prioritize if they take control of the Senate in the midterm elections.
Fact-Checking the Sunday Shows: October 5
PunditFact.com
October 5, 2014
They set up an area for patient triage and identification to help them prioritize.
The Military’s Mission to Fight Ebola Might Be Dangerous But it Won’t Be Black Hawk Down
Nathan Bradley Bethea
September 19, 2014
The United States, they said, should “prioritize the flow of highly skilled or educated immigrants” into the country.
No Labels’ Bid For The Big Time
Ben Jacobs
September 18, 2014
Even countries with extremely limited resources still choose to prioritize the health of children above everything else.
Measles Vaccine Mix-Up Kills Dozens of Syrian Children
Kent Sepkowitz
September 18, 2014

British Dictionary definitions for prioritize

prioritize

prioritise

verb (tr)

to arrange (items to be attended to) in order of their relative importance
to give priority to or establish as a priority

Derived Formsprioritization or prioritisation, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for prioritize

1972, apparently coined during the U.S. presidential contest that year, from root of priority + -ize. Related: Prioritized; prioritizing.