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

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."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

priority priorities

The top US military commander in the Middle East has said mental health is a "priority" on the warship USS Lincoln, following reports of difficult conditions on board the long-deployed ship.

From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026

Like Yang’s, dozens of accounts we reviewed had videos focused on opening a Roth IRA or told users to give priority to exchange-traded funds in their investment portfolios.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026

Natural landscapes and wildlife would take priority over agriculture.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026

Protecting religious freedom and practice has been a Paxton priority since he became attorney general in 2015, generating loyal support from grassroots conservatives.

From Salon ● Aug. 14, 2026

Another analyzes the intelligence in each message: what it means, level of priority, who needs to see it.

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin

But telling someone what your priorities are can offer a sense of relief: You’ve told him who you are and what you want.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 14, 2026

Now that you’ve met promises made during the pandemic, what are your priorities for investing capital?

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026

He specifically instructed NOAA, which is under his purview, to take offshore oil production, pipeline maintenance, spaceport infrastructure, desalination projects and undersea cables into consideration, citing national priorities and economic interests.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026

He has noted a shift in buyers' priorities in recent months, including being wary of south-facing windows.

From Barron's ● Aug. 11, 2026

Finally, their priorities are heavily influenced by the relative values they attach to different lifestyles—just as we can see today.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

Related Words

• arrangement
• preference