WordGarden.iopriority
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /praɪˈɒrɪti/
US
- /praɪˈɔrəti/
Meanings
Noun
special importance or urgency given to something
the right to go first or be dealt with before others
a level that determines which task or message is handled first in a system
Beyond the definition
Imagine you're packing for a trip. You could bring every single outfit you own, but you don't have the space! Instead, you decide what's absolutely essential—your toothbrush, medication, and maybe a versatile jacket. Those are your priorities. A priority is something you see as most important and deal with first. It's about deciding what needs attention now versus what can wait.
Priorities aren't always fun; sometimes the highest priority is finishing that dreaded work report before enjoying the weekend. Or, in an emergency situation, your priority might be ensuring everyone's safety. The word comes from the Latin prior, meaning "first." Think of it as what comes before everything else.
Priority refers to something that is considered more important than other things and therefore receives attention first. It is about ranking tasks, goals, or needs based on their urgency and significance. Think of a hospital emergency room—patients are seen not in the order they arrive, but according to the severity of their condition; those with life-threatening injuries have the highest priority.
The concept of priority extends beyond emergencies. In project management, identifying priorities helps teams focus their efforts on the most crucial tasks. In personal life, setting priorities allows you to manage your time effectively and achieve your goals. You might prioritize family time over social events, or financial stability over impulsive purchases.
Sometimes, we talk about "shifting priorities"—meaning our needs change, and what was important yesterday may not be as vital today. A sudden illness in the family would likely cause a shift in priorities, demanding immediate attention and potentially postponing other plans.
A related verb is prioritize, which means to decide that something is more important than other things. "She prioritized her health by starting a regular exercise routine."
Ultimately, understanding and setting priorities is about making conscious choices about where you invest your time, energy, and resources—ensuring that the most crucial things get done first. It's not just doing things; it's doing the right things, in the right order.
Examples
- 1
Safety first
Our first priority is to make sure everyone is safe.
- 2
Monthly bills
Paying rent has to be a priority this month.
- 3
Medical triage
The hospital gives priority to patients with serious injuries.
- Patterngive priority to + person/thing
deal with them before others
- 4
Team planning
This project is a high priority for the team.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Work-life balance
Family time takes priority over extra work on weekends.
- Patterntake priority over + thing
be treated as more important than it
- 6
Task ranking
I have several priorities today, but the report is at the top of the list.
- 7
Life changes
After the baby was born, their priorities changed.
- 8
Personal choices
You need to get your priorities straight: sleep first, then emails.
- Phraseget your priorities straight
decide what is really important
- 9
Travel service
Priority boarding is available for families with young children.
See also
Similar
- precedence
- importance
- first place
Shades of meaning
- urgency
- preference
- top concern
Contrast
- afterthought
- low importance
Used with (collocations)
- high priority
- top priority
- set priorities
- give priority to
Word family
Explore
- triage
- resource allocation
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- prioritynoun
Forms
- prioritiespluralnoun