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

Having spent hundreds of millions of dollars on the cable, Meta will want to prioritize the business of making that money back — by hoovering up user data, serving targeted ads, and pinning browsers within the iron embrace of its various platforms. —Samanth Subramanian, The Dial, 14 Oct. 2025

Rates in major cities like Milan, Paris and New York are at all-time highs, and guests are increasingly prioritizing experiences over possessions. —Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2025

To stay grounded, Stueland practices mindfulness and prioritizes exercise. —Harriet Taylor, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025

The lawmakers say this claim is misleading, adding that the office should be able to respond to communications by utilizing non-furloughed employees or prioritizing carryover funding at its disposal. —Melina Khan, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025

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