prioritize (redirected from prioritizing)

pri·or·i·tize  (pr-ôr-tz, -r-)

v. pri·or·i·tized, pri·or·i·tiz·ing, pri·or·i·tiz·es Usage Problem

v.tr.

To arrange or deal with in order of importance.

v.intr.

To put things in order of importance: "Everyone should take time to be alone, to prioritize and meditate" (Art Linkletter).

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[priorit(y) + -ize.]

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pri·ori·ti·zation (-t-zshn) n.

Usage Note: It can be argued that prioritize serves a useful function in providing a single word to mean "arrange according to priority," but it is often regarded as corporate or bureaucratic jargon. Resistance to prioritize, however, has fallen dramatically in recent decades. In 1976, 97 percent of the Usage Panel rejected its use in the phrase a first attempt to prioritize the tasks facing the new administration. By 1997, however, 53 percent of the Panel approved the use of prioritize in the sentence Overwhelmed with work, the lawyer was forced to prioritize his caseload. This suggests that, like finalize, prioritize is rapidly securing a place in our everyday vocabulary. See Usage Note at finalize.

Thesaurus

Verb

1.

prioritize - assign a priority to; "we have too many things to do and must prioritize" prioritise grade, rate, rank, place, range, order - assign a rank or rating to; "how would you rank these students?"; "The restaurant is rated highly in the food guide"