priority

American  

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

noun

plural

priorities

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

• 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."

Example Sentences

There is every chance that the fight will end with one man on the canvas and, after then, my priority will be to console the loser first - I can't be jumping around celebrating.

From BBC • May 8, 2026

Carney has identified the construction and upgrade of trade infrastructure as a central policy priority.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

Chandran says the struggle to secure funding for hantavirus research is because these viruses haven’t been a priority.

From MarketWatch • May 8, 2026

He said, however, that as a military industrial base analyst, it wasn’t his place to opine on whether this sort of intense military investment should be the budget priority of the American government.

From Salon • May 8, 2026

Cleanliness was a priority, as was ample space for marching, which he practiced regularly and often.

From "The Very, Very Far North" by Dan Bar-el

Related Words

• arrangement
• preference