English vocabulary · C1
Triage
/triˈɑːʒ/ · n., v.
To triage is to choose what needs help first. The most serious problem goes first, so people do not waste time on things that can wait.
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Example sentences
- Nurses triaged patients by need.
- We triage calls when many arrive.
Word origin and roots
from Old French
- trier — sort (from Old French)
Synonyms and nuances
- SORT — separate things by their kind (Puts Things In Groups)
- RANK — place one before another (Sets An Order)
- PRIORITIZE — give one need more time (Chooses What Comes First)
Words with the same root
trier — sort
- try — make an attempt
- trial — a test or court case
Lesson notes
To triage is to choose what needs help first. The most serious problem goes first, so people do not waste time on things that can wait.
Related: sort, rank, prioritize. Use triage when urgent needs come first.
Nurses triaged patients by need. We triage calls when many arrive.
From Old French. Trier means sort. French triage came from trier. Sort urgent needs first. That is triage.