priority
noun
pri·or·i·ty
prī-ˈȯr-ə-tē 
-ˈär-
plural priorities
1
a(1)
: the quality or state of being prior
(2)
: precedence in date or position of publication
—used of taxa
b(1)
: superiority in rank, position, or privilege
(2)
: legal precedence in exercise of rights over the same subject matter
2
: a preferential rating
especially
: one that allocates rights to goods and services usually in limited supply
that project has top priority
3
: something given or meriting attention before competing alternatives
Examples of priority in a Sentence
Reorganizing the sales force will be a top priority for the new president.
Getting the work done on time is a priority for me.
She decided to go to the party instead of studying? Where are her priorities?
I know you want to buy a new stereo, but right now, saving for college has to take priority.
Recent Examples on the Web
At Fortune’s Brainstorm AI conference in London this week, Dr. Sunita Mishra said priorities for Amazon’s health care offering included transparency and ensuring customers’ trust.
—
Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2024
But a couple of franchises may have higher priority than others.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2024
Clark said Democrats' preference would be for a single House vote on the foreign aid package that passed the Senate, but that their priority was passing assistance to Ukraine.
—Claudia Grisales, NPR, 17 Apr. 2024
Now, more people feel the squeeze This year, PACT members’ No. 1 priority were plans to address surging rent prices which have lead to tenants becoming evicted and sometimes, homeless.
—Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2024
In a matter of days, our collective priorities shifted to ensuring our living spaces were clean and healthy.
—Hannah Dylan Pasternak, SELF, 17 Apr. 2024
Neither was a priority for the United States and its allies at the time.
—Samuel Charap, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2024
In her State of the State address on Wednesday, Sanders said that education was her first priority.
—Beatrice Peterson, ABC News, 15 Apr. 2024
Although figuring out Clifford’s successor is the immediate priority, there’s nothing more important to the organization’s long-term success than the health of the star point guard and starting center.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 14 Apr. 2024
Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2024
But a couple of franchises may have higher priority than others.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2024
Clark said Democrats' preference would be for a single House vote on the foreign aid package that passed the Senate, but that their priority was passing assistance to Ukraine.
—Claudia Grisales, NPR, 17 Apr. 2024
Now, more people feel the squeeze This year, PACT members’ No. 1 priority were plans to address surging rent prices which have lead to tenants becoming evicted and sometimes, homeless.
—Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2024
In a matter of days, our collective priorities shifted to ensuring our living spaces were clean and healthy.
—Hannah Dylan Pasternak, SELF, 17 Apr. 2024
Neither was a priority for the United States and its allies at the time.
—Samuel Charap, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2024
In her State of the State address on Wednesday, Sanders said that education was her first priority.
—Beatrice Peterson, ABC News, 15 Apr. 2024
Although figuring out Clifford’s successor is the immediate priority, there’s nothing more important to the organization’s long-term success than the health of the star point guard and starting center.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 14 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'priority.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near priority
Cite this Entry
“Priority.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/priority. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
priority
noun
pri·or·i·ty
prī-ˈȯr-ət-ē
-ˈär-
plural priorities
1
: the quality or state of coming before another in time or importance
2
: a condition of being given attention before others
this project has top priority
Legal Definition
priority
1 of 2 noun
pri·or·i·ty
prī-ˈȯr-ə-tē
plural priorities
: precedence in exercise of rights in the same subject matter
secured interests have priority over unsecured ones
priority
2 of 2 adjective1
: having precedence over another in the exercise of rights in the same subject matter
a priority creditor
a priority claim
2
: of or relating to priority
a priority contest
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