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

The administration has prioritized the moves because China controls 70% of the world's rare earths mining and 90% of the processing. —Didi Tang, Arkansas Online, 5 Feb. 2026

This diet prioritizes eating vegetables, fruits, beans, olive oil, nuts and fish, and limits consuming meat and dairy with moderate consumption of alcohol. —Lily Hautau, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026

For emergency managers, utilities and transportation agencies, better maps of cold intensity, duration and spread can help prioritize better recovery and strategies. —Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 4 Feb. 2026

Here’s how high performers are coached to prioritize their sleep. —Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 4 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