prioritize

especially British, pri·or·i·tise

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

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.

verb (used without object)

prioritized, prioritizing 

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

prioritize

/ 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

Spelling Note

See -ize.

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of prioritize¹

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

Example Sentences

Some retirees choose to move in an effort to save money and prioritize cost of living, while others want a new adventure in this next chapter of their lives.

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He has experience with the tensions between prioritizing creative talent and pleasing Wall Street, and is now chairman of the Alex Mill clothing brand his son founded.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Neilson said the results reinforce the importance of prioritizing sleep health for his patients, particularly in light of the elevated Parkinson's risk revealed in the study.

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“While the current situation in Haiti is concerning, the United States must prioritize its national interests,” Noem said.

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Inmates will be moved to other facilities, though officials did not specify where, saying only that the agency is prioritizing keeping people “as close as possible to their anticipated release locations.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• compute 
• register 
• set up