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
Here are the restaurants in Kansas City and Johnson and Wyandotte counties that received seven or more critical violations or priority/priority foundation violations from March 15 to 28.
—
Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2026
The legislation, the latest in a long effort by some lawmakers of both parties to rein in the price of insulin, faces many hurdles, including concerns about the cost and other competing congressional priorities.
—ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
About the Vanuatu Future Fund The Vanuatu Future Fund is an investment platform aligned with the Government of Vanuatu’s development priorities.
—Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
Active engagement with new perspectives could’ve helped spice things up, but there’s only so much generational commentary available when the priorities of those generations are taken off the table.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for priority
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Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2026
The legislation, the latest in a long effort by some lawmakers of both parties to rein in the price of insulin, faces many hurdles, including concerns about the cost and other competing congressional priorities.
—ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
About the Vanuatu Future Fund The Vanuatu Future Fund is an investment platform aligned with the Government of Vanuatu’s development priorities.
—Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
Active engagement with new perspectives could’ve helped spice things up, but there’s only so much generational commentary available when the priorities of those generations are taken off the table.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for priority
Cite this Entry
“Priority.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/priority. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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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