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
His officials at the time, including Secretary of Defense James Mattis, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and Deputy National Security Adviser Matt Pottinger, made Beijing their main priority.
—
Mira Rapp-Hooper, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
But the controls were narrowly confined to largely low-tech goods, leaving out advanced technologies that could be used by police and leading at times to puzzling priorities.
—Byron Tau, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2025
The educators and journalists are the latest high-profile Miamians to condemn the White House’s immigration enforcement mandate, which has led to the arrest of immigrants in South Florida who would have not been priorities for detention and deportation under the previous administration.
—Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
Skipper answered her three highest priority areas going forward post-speech, listing the district’s achievement and opportunity gap, accessibility, and early childhood opportunities.
—Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for priority
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Mira Rapp-Hooper, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
But the controls were narrowly confined to largely low-tech goods, leaving out advanced technologies that could be used by police and leading at times to puzzling priorities.
—Byron Tau, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2025
The educators and journalists are the latest high-profile Miamians to condemn the White House’s immigration enforcement mandate, which has led to the arrest of immigrants in South Florida who would have not been priorities for detention and deportation under the previous administration.
—Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
Skipper answered her three highest priority areas going forward post-speech, listing the district’s achievement and opportunity gap, accessibility, and early childhood opportunities.
—Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for priority
Cite this Entry
“Priority.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/priority. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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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