prioritize

verb

pri·​or·​i·​tize prī-ˈȯr-ə-ˌtīz How to pronounce prioritize (audio)
-ˈär-;
ˈprī-ə-rə-
prioritized; prioritizing

transitive verb

: to list or rate (projects, goals, etc.) in order of priority
prioritization
prī-ˌȯr-ə-tə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce prioritize (audio)
-är-;
ˌprī-ə-rə-
noun

Examples of prioritize in a Sentence

It's always difficult to prioritize work, school, and family. If you want to do your job efficiently, you have to learn to prioritize. The town council hopes to prioritize the bridge construction project at the next meeting.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Local governments should prioritize developments that include homes for middle- and low-income families and fast-track the approval process for these projects. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024 The best cold weather technical clothing prioritizes one performance metric above all others: breathability. Wes Siler, Outside Online, 6 Nov. 2024 The scans also showed an inverse relationship between the brain regions that enable people to plan, solve problems, and prioritize information–-called executive control domains–and the regions of the brain with more specific functions. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 6 Nov. 2024 In her time in office, Lewis has prioritized developing new procedures for election administration in the county and staffing up. Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for prioritize 

Word History

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prioritize was in 1961

Dictionary Entries Near prioritize

Cite this Entry

“Prioritize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prioritize. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on prioritize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!