triage

noun

tri·​age trē-ˈäzh  ˈtrē-ˌäzh 

1

a

: the sorting of and allocation of treatment to patients and especially battle and disaster victims according to a system of priorities designed to maximize the number of survivors

b

: the sorting of patients (as in an emergency room) according to the urgency of their need for care

2

: the assigning of priority order to projects on the basis of where funds and other resources can be best used, are most needed, or are most likely to achieve success

triage transitive verb

Examples of triage in a Sentence

Nurses do triage in the emergency room.

Recent Examples on the Web

Agentic systems assist in diagnostics, triage and even robotic surgery. —Antara Dave, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025

The tenants’ union also conducted emergency triage and well-check visits. —Charlotte Observer, 9 July 2025

The wounded counselor was taken to a prison triage and treatment area before being transported to an outside hospital, state corrections officials said in a statement on Monday. —Darrell Smith july 7, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2025

The Department of Public Services relies on snow-priority routes to triage street treatment. —Cheryl Vari, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, sorting, sifting, from trier to sort, from Old French — more at try entry 1

First Known Use

1918, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Medical Definition

triage

noun

tri·​age trē-ˈäzh  ˈtrē-ˌ 

1

: the sorting of and allocation of treatment to patients and especially battle and disaster victims according to a system of priorities designed to maximize the number of survivors

2

: the sorting of patients (as in an emergency room) according to the urgency of their need for care

triage transitive verb