- the condition of being prior; antecedence; precedence
- the right of precedence over others
- something given specified attention: my first priority
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
pri•or•i•ty /praɪˈɔrɪti, -ˈɑr-/USA pronunciation
n., pl. -ties.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- the right to precede in order, rank, etc.;
precedence:[uncountable]Soldiers who are badly wounded have priority over those with minor wounds. - something given or meriting special or prior attention:[countable]a top priority.
pri•or•i•ty
(prī ôr′i tē, -or′-),USA pronunciation n., pl. -ties for 2–4.
adj.
- the state or quality of being earlier in time, occurrence, etc.
- the right to precede others in order, rank, privilege, etc.;
precedence. - the right to take precedence in obtaining certain supplies, services, facilities, etc., esp. during a shortage.
- something given special attention.
adj.
- 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/ n ( pl -ties)