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.
For starters, Johnson is not averse to prioritizing the run game. Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025 Miners facing regulatory compliance may increasingly prioritize compliant transactions, leaving less block space for non-compliant ones. Susie Violet Ward, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025 So, as he is inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States of America on January 20, what will Trump prioritize in his busy first week? Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025 States that have successfully addressed housing shortages — such as Texas, where cities like Austin have seen a 12.6% decline in rental prices — have prioritized loosening restrictions, streamlining permitting processes and promoting new construction to meet demand. David Byrd, Baltimore Sun, 20 Jan. 2025 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 23 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on prioritize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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