prioritize
Americanverb
-
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
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.
Such observations could help California decide where to prioritize Joshua tree conservation as it implements a sweeping plan to protect the plants from climate threats.
From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026
“When physicians prioritize access to power over ethical judgment, they often break the foundational covenant of medicine,” she wrote.
From Salon • May 19, 2026
In an age when the world’s best players tend to prioritize distance with their drivers, Rai is one of the game’s lightest hitters.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026
Trebnick added that she sees continued evidence that the company’s strategy to consolidate its cybersecurity offerings into one platform and prioritize its focus on AI security has been resonating with customers.
From MarketWatch • May 18, 2026
Foundations would be lobbied to prioritize criminal justice reform.
From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
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.
