priority

American  

[prahy-awr-i-tee, -or-] / praɪˈɔr ɪ ti, -ˈɒr- /

noun

• priorities
  plural

1. the state or quality of being earlier in time, occurrence, etc.

2. the right to precede others in order, rank, privilege, etc.; precedence.

3. the right to take precedence in obtaining certain supplies, services, facilities, etc., especially during a shortage.

4. something given special attention.

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adjective

1. highest or higher in importance, rank, privilege, etc..

   a priority task.

priority British  

/ praɪˈɒrɪtɪ /

noun

1. the condition of being prior; antecedence; precedence

2. the right of precedence over others

3. something given specified attention

   my first priority

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonpriority
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• priorities
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of priority

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French priorite, from Medieval Latin priōritās; see prior ¹, -ity

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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."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

priority priorities

Bass has also vowed to make a priority of addressing police shootings of civilians, particularly those involving people experiencing mental health crises.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026

The forestry department in the same statement said there was a significant jump in hotspots in several areas in six "priority provinces" where 615 so-called hotspots were detected.

From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026

A new ED is one of two Western Health and Social Care Trust priority capital projects and has an estimated cost of around £73m.

From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026

It grants them “honor school” status, which the Pentagon says provides priority in officer commissioning.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026

Rather, he established a base line which enabled others to make priority claims.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Matos detailed his list of priorities when he replaced Alan Sheehan at Swansea.

From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026

Tinucci said her priorities are growing overall revenue, investing in the business and proving that Uber Freight makes sense within Uber.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026

Meeting such a target will mean rethinking priorities when it comes to agriculture and nature.

From Barron's ● Oct. 12, 2026

The SNP public finance minister is recruiting a Shetland-based creative, of any discipline, to engage with the community and deliver projects reflecting policy priorities.

From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2026

“She went off on me the other day—about how sometimes my priorities are messed up.”

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison

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Related Words

• arrangement
• preference

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