prioritize

verb

pri·​or·​i·​tize prī-ˈȯr-ə-ˌtīz 

-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 

-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

Audience members vote after each episode, determining which contestants stay and which are eliminated, a system that can sometimes prioritize popularity over talent. —Rebecca Cairns, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026

Alpha School also prioritizes student feedback. —Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 18 Feb. 2026

Prosecutors also pressed Mosseri over whether Instagram is prioritizing growth and profit over safety. —Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026

The resignation of López only fuels concern that Maryland’s executive leadership will prioritize only those matters that carry national significance and only address the issues that could threaten the governor’s national ambitions. —Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 18 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for prioritize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize