priority
Americannoun
plural
priorities-
the state or quality of being earlier in time, occurrence, etc.
-
the right to precede others in order, rank, privilege, etc.; precedence.
-
the right to take precedence in obtaining certain supplies, services, facilities, etc., especially during a shortage.
-
something given special attention.
adjective
noun
-
the condition of being prior; antecedence; precedence
-
the right of precedence over others
-
something given specified attention
my first priority
Other Word Forms
- nonpriority adjective
Etymology
Origin of priority
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French priorite, from Medieval Latin priōritās; prior 1, -ity
Explanation
When a group or a person cares about one thing over all others, that’s the top priority. “After the flood, finding a place to live became their first priority.” Priority comes from the word prior, which means to come before something else. A priority is the concern, interest or desire that comes before all others. “His first priority was to establish his career and get married later.” “When seeking the perfect wave, Jeff and Wayne made it their priority to be the first surfers on the beach.” "The new CEO's top priority was firing her predecessor's hires."
Vocabulary lists containing priority
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
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List 8
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Academic Vocabulary Toolkit 1, Words 71-80
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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.
“The state’s first priority was to ensure the survival of the regime,” said Nikolay Kozhanov, an expert on Iran at Qatar University.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026
He added that his top priority at the Islamabad talks was to ensure the Islamic republic had "no nuclear weapon. That's 99 percent of it."
From Barron's • Apr. 11, 2026
Burton added: "Our top priority is safety and protecting the bridge for the future, so it's important that we act when our sensors pick up any change."
From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026
That’s why their nutrition must be of utmost priority.
From Salon • Apr. 10, 2026
My main priority was to get the house in shape.
From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris
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.
