priority

UK: /praɪˈɒrɪti/

US: /praɪˈɔrɪti, -ˈɑr-/

US: (prī ôr′i tē, -or′-)

Inflections of 'priority' (n): npl: priorities

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

pri•or•i•ty /praɪˈɔrɪti, -ˈɑr-/   n., pl. -ties. 

1. the right to precede in order, rank, etc.;
   precedence:
   [uncountable] Soldiers who are badly wounded have priority over those with minor wounds.
2. something given or meriting special or prior attention:
   [countable] a top priority.

See -prim-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

pri•or•i•ty  (prī ôr′i tē, -or′-), n., pl. -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.
3. the right to take precedence in obtaining certain supplies, services, facilities, etc., esp. during a shortage.
4. something given special attention.

adj. 

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

• Medieval Latin priōritās. See prior¹, -ity
• Middle French priorite
• Middle English 1350–1400

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

priority / praɪˈɒrɪtɪ/ noun ( -ties)

1. the condition of being prior; antecedence; precedence
2. the right of precedence over others
3. something given specified attention: my first priority