PRECEDENCE

[noun] [U] - the condition of being dealt with before other things or of being considered more important than other thingsPrecedence must be given to the injured in the evacuation plans.The government has to decide whether cost or concern for the environment should take precedence when choosing the route for the new road.Business people often think that fluency and communication take precedence over grammar when speaking.(formal) Precedence is also the order of importance given to people in particular societies, groups or organizations.The order of precedence for titled nobility in Britain is duke, marquis, earl, viscount, baron.