priority

Something that matters more than other things and should receive attention first.

• Your safety is our top priority.
• Finding a job became her main priority.
• The school gave a high priority to reading.

Similar words: main concern

Common phrases: top priority, high priority, make something a priority, set a priority

The right to move or be dealt with before others, especially in traffic.

• Buses have priority at this junction.
• Give priority to pedestrians at the crossing.
• Which vehicle has priority here?

How to use it: have priority over someone/something (Traffic on the main road has priority over turning vehicles.); give priority to someone/something (Drivers must give priority to pedestrians here.)

Similar words: right of way, precedence

Common phrases: give someone priority, priority over someone, have priority

The fact or right of coming before something else in time or order.

• Her claim has priority over his.
• The researchers argued about priority in the discovery.
• The law gives these debts priority of payment.

How to use it: priority over something (These debts have priority over other payments.)

Similar words: precedence

Common phrases: priority over something, claim priority, priority of payment