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priority Definition

pri·or·ity (prī ôr′ə tē, -är′-)

noun pl. -·ties

  1. the fact or condition of being prior; precedence in time, order, importance, etc.
    1. a right to precedence over others in obtaining, buying, or doing something
    2. an order granting this, as in an emergency
  3. something to be given prior attention

Etymology: ME priorite < ML prioritas

priority Synonyms

priority

n.

superiority, preference, precedence, antecedence, precedency, previousness, pre-existence, preterition, earliness, preclude, pre-eminence, right of way; see also advantage 1, 2.

priority Law Definition

n

A condition of being higher in rank, or degree, or having occurred at an earlier time; taking precedence, especially a creditor’s right to receive payment from a debtor before others are paid; the initiating court’s exercising the jurisdiction in a case in which more than one court is involved.

priority Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • give: These returns will be given priority in tax offices.
  • identify: We will therefore carry out two projects in which to identify the research priorities for the next five years.
  • agree: It will identify critical areas where gaps in provision exist and agree the strategic priorities with the sector.
  • reflect: The ambiance of the building reflects these two priorities.
  • compete: The rules as to the competing priority of interests in registered land are clarified.
  • determine: This priority does not determine the execution priority of the request.

Adjective modifier

  • strategic: These are our proposed strategic priorities grouped under the main mission headings.
  • top: Top priority, with slightly higher priority than a study of research.
  • high: High priority is given to the teaching of reading.
  • key: The development of Derby Urban Regeneration Company had been a key priority, which would soon be launched.
  • urgent: With regard to fuel, the urgent priority is to save and replace oil.
  • low: There has been a long period in which such work has been accorded low priority.

Modifies a noun

  • booking: Should the larger festivals reward regular visitors with some kind of priority booking system, or should they be free for alls?
  • habitat: We are also co-ordinating a comprehensive review of the existing series of BAP priority habitats to identify any potential gaps in coverage.
  • queue: This module provides an implementation of the heap queue algorithm, also known as the priority queue algorithm.

Noun used with modifier

  • aperture: For those times when creative expression is desired, the aperture priority, shutter priority or full manual settings allow greater control.
  • spending: This inevitably sends out a message to local authorities on spending priorities.
  • bus: The wider area will be treated with bus priority measures to improve reliability of services.
  • scheduling: These are the current scheduling priorities set by the master of the most serious BBC channel.
  • shutter: For those times when creative expression is desired, the aperture priority, shutter priority or full manual settings allow greater control.