priority

[ prahy-awr-i-tee, -or- ]
See synonyms for: prioritypriorities on Thesaurus.com

noun,plural pri·or·i·ties for 2-4.
  1. the state or quality of being earlier in time, occurrence, etc.

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

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

  2. something given special attention.

adjective
  1. highest or higher in importance, rank, privilege, etc.: a priority task.

Origin of priority

1
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French priorite, from Medieval Latin priōritās; see prior1, -ity

Other words from priority

  • non·pri·or·i·ty, adjective

Words Nearby priority

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use priority in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for priority

priority

/ (praɪˈɒrɪtɪ) /


nounplural -ties
  1. the condition of being prior; antecedence; precedence

  2. the right of precedence over others

  1. something given specified attention: my first priority

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012