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; see 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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Bush's Address on 9/11
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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.
Improving surveillance systems is a key priority, along with developing faster and more accurate diagnostic tools.
From Science Daily • May 2, 2026
Frank Bisignano, commissioner of the SSA, has said that addressing this issue is a top priority of the Trump administration.
From MarketWatch • May 2, 2026
In the Permian, for example, the company’s top priority is collecting cash after flattening production last year at about 1 million barrels a day, he added.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026
To be fair, all the larger parties have said that cutting health waiting times would be a priority for them - as it is for the public.
From BBC • May 1, 2026
As a kid Kathy didn’t like baths much, and they weren’t a great priority in her house, so every time she was at Yuko’s, Kameko filled the tub.
From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers
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.
