[pri.or.i.ty] n, pl -ties (14c) 1 a (1): the quality or state of being prior (2): precedence in date or position of publication--used of taxa b (1): superiority in rank, position, or privilege (2): legal precedence in exercise of rights over the same subject matter
2: a preferential rating; esp: one that allocates rights to goods and services usu. in limited supply "that project has top ~"
3: something given or meriting attention before competing alternatives