Priority Meaning
Priority Definition & Usage
The state of being more important or urgent than other things; precedence in attention, importance, or action.
Examples
- "We need to set the priority of the project before we can start planning."
- "Safety is a top priority in the workplace."
- "She has made family her first priority over her career."
- "The manager gave priority to resolving the issue with the client."
- "During the crisis, securing the building became the main priority for all staff."
A task or goal that is considered most important in a given time period or project.
Examples
- "The team outlined their priorities for the quarter, focusing on client retention and expansion."
- "As a company, our priority is to enhance customer satisfaction."
- "The new marketing campaign became the top priority after the recent product launch."
- "We will discuss the priority projects in today's meeting."
- "Managing time effectively is a key priority for every successful entrepreneur."
The value assigned to something, indicating how significant it is in relation to other aspects of life or society.
Examples
- "In many cultures, family is a priority above all else."
- "Education should be a priority for governments around the world."
- "Health care access has become a national priority in recent years."
- "Environmental conservation is becoming a higher priority in public policy."
- "Achieving equality is a priority for many non-governmental organizations."
Cultural Context
The word 'priority' originates from the Latin word 'prior', meaning 'preceding'. Over time, it has evolved into a term used to express importance, urgency, or preference in various contexts, from time management to societal concerns.
A Day of Priorities
Story
A Day of Priorities
Samantha sat in her office, staring at her to-do list. The first item on the list—'Finish project proposal for the client'—was circled in red ink. She glanced at the clock, noting that it was already 11 AM, and her phone rang just as she was about to dive in. It was her colleague Mark. "Hey Sam, I know the proposal is a priority for you, but the boss wants us to handle the new campaign first. Apparently, it's a big deal." Samantha paused, her heart sinking. The proposal was urgent, but so was the campaign. She had promised the client a draft by today, and now she was expected to delay it for something else. Priorities, she thought. She had to decide which was the bigger priority. After a brief moment of hesitation, she called her manager, explaining the situation. "We’ll handle the campaign first," her manager replied. "But make sure to get back to the proposal soon—client satisfaction is also a priority." As the day went on, Samantha juggled both tasks. In the afternoon, she attended a meeting about corporate priorities, where the leadership team discussed long-term goals like expanding their market presence. As she sat there, she thought about how priorities shifted in different areas of her life. Family was her top priority outside of work, and it always seemed to take precedence over her career, but today, the balance felt off. Finally, after sending off the campaign materials, she returned to her proposal, finishing it just before the end of the workday. She felt accomplished, but also a little exhausted. Sometimes, choosing between priorities wasn't easy. But today, she had managed to handle both. Tomorrow, she promised herself, she would focus more on what truly mattered—both at work and at home.
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