triage

noun

tri·​age trē-ˈäzh  ˈtrē-ˌäzh 

1

a

: the sorting of and allocation of treatment to patients and especially battle and disaster victims according to a system of priorities designed to maximize the number of survivors

b

: the sorting of patients (as in an emergency room) according to the urgency of their need for care

2

: the assigning of priority order to projects on the basis of where funds and other resources can be best used, are most needed, or are most likely to achieve success

triage transitive verb

Examples of triage in a Sentence

Nurses do triage in the emergency room.

Recent Examples on the Web

In 1973, Saint Therese was designated Lake County’s first official trauma center, staffed with physicians and nurses specially trained in triage and trauma care. —Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 29 Jan. 2025

Elsewhere, Med’s Dr. Frost joins Fire paramedics Violet and Novak for a ride-along when they’re called to the explosion and set up a triage area. —Vlada Gelman, TVLine, 28 Jan. 2025

Another firefighter asks where the triage area is and reports several patients at Throckmorton and 7th Street. —Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Jan. 2025

With cannonballs and rifles firing, Claire and Rachel set up a triage area in the church courtyard. —Lincee Ray, EW.com, 4 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, sorting, sifting, from trier to sort, from Old French — more at try entry 1

First Known Use

1918, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Medical Definition

triage

noun

tri·​age trē-ˈäzh  ˈtrē-ˌ 

1

: the sorting of and allocation of treatment to patients and especially battle and disaster victims according to a system of priorities designed to maximize the number of survivors

2

: the sorting of patients (as in an emergency room) according to the urgency of their need for care

triage transitive verb