pri·or·i·ty 
(prī-ôrĭ-tē, -ŏr-)
(prī-ôrĭ-tē, -ŏr-)n. pl. pri·or·i·ties
1. Precedence, especially established by order of importance or urgency.
2.
a. An established right to precedence.
b. An authoritative rating that establishes such precedence.
3. A preceding or coming earlier in time.
4. Something afforded or deserving prior attention.
[Middle English priorite, from Old French, from Medieval Latin priōritās, from Latin prior, first; see PRIOR2.]