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

He has prioritized public safety with a pledge to hire 5,000 new officers for the New York Police Department.

Read more on Barron's

The AI exercise was more challenging for the students than the traditional method, Weiss said, because they needed to gather and prioritize the information themselves.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“Digital meditation platforms, premium wellness products, and spiritual tourism are reshaping consumer spending as young Chinese prioritize emotional well-being over traditional status symbols,” said analysts at consumer research publication Jing Daily.

Read more on Barron's

The statement added that ICE is "prioritizing the removal of criminal alien offenders who pose a threat to public safety and the rule of law".

Read more on BBC

A Colombian initiative encouraged gender equity with “joint titling to couples and prioritized women at risk.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• compute 
• register 
• set up