priority
n. C / Un. something that is more important than other things and needs your attention first. You use this when you have many tasks but only one can be the most important.
n. the fact or condition of being regarded or treated as more important than others; a thing that is regarded as a primary concern.
Safety is our top priority at the construction site.
The manager asked the team to list their tasks in order of priority to meet the deadline.
In an era of fiscal restraint, the government must decide whether infrastructure investment or social welfare takes priority in the upcoming budget cycle.
From Old French priorite, from Latin priōritās. Surface analysis: prior + -ity.
Often used with the verbs 'set', 'establish', or 'take'. When used as 'take priority', it is typically followed by the preposition 'over'.
I have many priorities to doI have many priorities to addressA priority is a status or a concern, not an action itself; you address or manage priorities rather than 'doing' them.