diff --git a/runtime/doc/sign.txt b/runtime/doc/sign.txt
index dac3a57204cdd..84b2977293a5e 100644
--- a/runtime/doc/sign.txt
+++ b/runtime/doc/sign.txt
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-*sign.txt*      For Vim version 9.1.  Last change: 2024 Jun 08
+*sign.txt*      For Vim version 9.1.  Last change: 2024 Jul 06
 
 
 		  VIM REFERENCE MANUAL    by Gordon Prieur
@@ -80,8 +80,9 @@ used by popup windows where 'cursorline' is set.
 							*sign-priority*
 Each placed sign is assigned a priority value. When multiple signs are placed
 on the same line, the attributes of the sign with the highest priority is used
-independently of the sign group. The default priority for a sign is 10. The
-priority is assigned at the time of placing a sign.
+independently of the sign group. The default priority for a sign is 10, this
+value can be changed for different signs by specifying a different value at
+definition time.  The priority is assigned at the time of placing a sign.
 
 When two signs with the same priority are present, and one has an icon or text
 in the signcolumn while the other has line highlighting, then both are
@@ -135,6 +136,8 @@ See |sign_define()| for the equivalent Vim script function.
 			Motif		pixmap (.xpm)
 			Win32		.bmp, .ico, .cur
 					pixmap (.xpm) |+xpm_w32|
+	priority={prio}
+		Default priority for the sign, see |sign-priority|.
 
 	linehl={group}
 		Highlighting group used for the whole line the sign is placed
@@ -209,11 +212,11 @@ See |sign_place()| for the equivalent Vim script function.
 
 		By default, the sign is placed in the global sign group.
 
-		By default, the sign is assigned a default priority of 10. To
-		assign a different priority value, use "priority={prio}" to
-		specify a value.  The priority is used to determine the sign
-		that is displayed when multiple signs are placed on the same
-		line.
+		By default, the sign is assigned a default priority of 10,
+		unless specified otherwise by the sign definition.  To assign a
+		different priority value, use "priority={prio}" to specify a
+		value.  The priority is used to determine the sign that is
+		displayed when multiple signs are placed on the same line.
 
 		Examples: >
 			:sign place 5 line=3 name=sign1 file=a.py
@@ -453,6 +456,7 @@ sign_getdefined([{name}])				*sign_getdefined()*
 		   linehl	highlight group used for the whole line the
 				sign is placed in; not present if not set
 		   name		name of the sign
+		   priority	default priority value of the sign
 		   numhl	highlight group used for the line number where
 				the sign is placed; not present if not set
 		   text		text that is displayed when there is no icon
@@ -646,7 +650,8 @@ sign_placelist({list})				*sign_placelist()*
 		    priority	Priority of the sign. When multiple signs are
 				placed on a line, the sign with the highest
 				priority is used. If not specified, the
-				default value of 10 is used. See
+				default value of 10 is used, unless specified
+				otherwise by the sign definition. See
 				|sign-priority| for more information.
 
 		If {id} refers to an existing sign, then the existing sign is
diff --git a/runtime/doc/version9.txt b/runtime/doc/version9.txt
index d70c3b19e3e72..92792b9cd5542 100644
--- a/runtime/doc/version9.txt
+++ b/runtime/doc/version9.txt
@@ -41576,6 +41576,7 @@ Changed~
 - 'completeopt' is now a |global-local| option.
 - 'nrformat' accepts the new "blank" suboption, to determine a signed or
   unsigned number based on whitespace in front of a minus sign.
+- allow to specify a priority when defining a new sign |:sign-define|
 
 							*added-9.2*
 Added ~
diff --git a/src/popupwin.c b/src/popupwin.c
index e35327217e758..9d60aa22aef89 100644
--- a/src/popupwin.c
+++ b/src/popupwin.c
@@ -699,8 +699,8 @@ popup_highlight_curline(win_T *wp)
 
 	    if (syn_name2id((char_u *)linehl) == 0)
 		linehl = "PmenuSel";
-	    sign_define_by_name(sign_name, NULL, (char_u *)linehl,
-						       NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL);
+	    sign_define_by_name(sign_name, NULL, (char_u *)linehl, NULL, NULL, NULL,
+		    NULL, SIGN_DEF_PRIO);
 	}
 
 	sign_place(&sign_id, (char_u *)"PopUpMenu", sign_name,
diff --git a/src/proto/sign.pro b/src/proto/sign.pro
index a042bad7f1909..1cca0a6963c35 100644
--- a/src/proto/sign.pro
+++ b/src/proto/sign.pro
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ int buf_findsigntype_id(buf_T *buf, linenr_T lnum, int typenr);
 int buf_signcount(buf_T *buf, linenr_T lnum);
 void buf_delete_signs(buf_T *buf, char_u *group);
 void sign_mark_adjust(linenr_T line1, linenr_T line2, long amount, long amount_after);
-int sign_define_by_name(char_u *name, char_u *icon, char_u *linehl, char_u *text, char_u *texthl, char_u *culhl, char_u *numhl);
+int sign_define_by_name(char_u *name, char_u *icon, char_u *linehl, char_u *text, char_u *texthl, char_u *culhl, char_u *numhl, int prio);
 int sign_exists_by_name(char_u *name);
 int sign_undefine_by_name(char_u *name, int give_error);
 int sign_place(int *sign_id, char_u *sign_group, char_u *sign_name, buf_T *buf, linenr_T lnum, int prio);
diff --git a/src/sign.c b/src/sign.c
index 8aa043bc458fd..1ae714d9a17b6 100644
--- a/src/sign.c
+++ b/src/sign.c
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ struct sign
     int		sn_text_hl;	// highlight ID for text
     int		sn_cul_hl;	// highlight ID for text on current line when 'cursorline' is set
     int		sn_num_hl;	// highlight ID for line number
+    int		sn_priority;	// default priority of this sign, -1 means SIGN_DEF_PRIO
 };
 
 static sign_T	*first_sign = NULL;
@@ -1047,7 +1048,8 @@ sign_define_by_name(
 	char_u	*text,
 	char_u	*texthl,
 	char_u	*culhl,
-	char_u	*numhl)
+	char_u	*numhl,
+	int	prio)
 {
     sign_T	*sp_prev;
     sign_T	*sp;
@@ -1083,6 +1085,8 @@ sign_define_by_name(
     if (text != NULL && (sign_define_init_text(sp, text) == FAIL))
 	return FAIL;
 
+    sp->sn_priority = prio;
+
     if (linehl != NULL)
     {
 	if (*linehl == NUL)
@@ -1206,6 +1210,10 @@ sign_place(
     if (*sign_id == 0)
 	*sign_id = sign_group_get_next_signid(buf, sign_group);
 
+    // Use the default priority value for this sign.
+    if (prio == -1)
+	prio = (sp->sn_priority != -1) ? sp->sn_priority : SIGN_DEF_PRIO;
+
     if (lnum > 0)
 	// ":sign place {id} line={lnum} name={name} file={fname}":
 	// place a sign
@@ -1338,6 +1346,7 @@ sign_define_cmd(char_u *sign_name, char_u *cmdline)
     char_u	*texthl = NULL;
     char_u	*culhl = NULL;
     char_u	*numhl = NULL;
+    int		prio = -1;
     int		failed = FALSE;
 
     // set values for a defined sign.
@@ -1377,6 +1386,12 @@ sign_define_cmd(char_u *sign_name, char_u *cmdline)
 	    arg += 6;
 	    numhl = vim_strnsave(arg, p - arg);
 	}
+	else if (STRNCMP(arg, "priority=", 9) == 0)
+	{
+	    arg += 9;
+	    prio = atoi((char *)arg);
+	    arg = skiptowhite(arg);
+	}
 	else
 	{
 	    semsg(_(e_invalid_argument_str), arg);
@@ -1386,7 +1401,7 @@ sign_define_cmd(char_u *sign_name, char_u *cmdline)
     }
 
     if (!failed)
-	sign_define_by_name(sign_name, icon, linehl, text, texthl, culhl, numhl);
+	sign_define_by_name(sign_name, icon, linehl, text, texthl, culhl, numhl, prio);
 
     vim_free(icon);
     vim_free(text);
@@ -1721,7 +1736,7 @@ ex_sign(exarg_T *eap)
 	linenr_T	lnum = -1;
 	char_u		*sign_name = NULL;
 	char_u		*group = NULL;
-	int		prio = SIGN_DEF_PRIO;
+	int		prio = -1;
 
 	// Parse command line arguments
 	if (parse_sign_cmd_args(idx, arg, &sign_name, &id, &group, &prio,
@@ -1750,6 +1765,8 @@ sign_getinfo(sign_T *sp, dict_T *retdict)
 	dict_add_string(retdict, "icon", sp->sn_icon);
     if (sp->sn_text != NULL)
 	dict_add_string(retdict, "text", sp->sn_text);
+    if (sp->sn_priority > 0)
+	dict_add_number(retdict, "priority", sp->sn_priority);
     if (sp->sn_line_hl > 0)
     {
 	p = get_highlight_name_ext(NULL, sp->sn_line_hl - 1, FALSE);
@@ -1913,6 +1930,7 @@ sign_gui_started(void)
 sign_list_defined(sign_T *sp)
 {
     char_u	*p;
+    char	lbuf[MSG_BUF_LEN];
 
     smsg("sign %s", sp->sn_name);
     if (sp->sn_icon != NULL)
@@ -1931,6 +1949,11 @@ sign_list_defined(sign_T *sp)
 	msg_puts(" text=");
 	msg_outtrans(sp->sn_text);
     }
+    if (sp->sn_priority > 0)
+    {
+	vim_snprintf(lbuf, MSG_BUF_LEN, " priority=%d", sp->sn_priority);
+	msg_puts(lbuf);
+    }
     if (sp->sn_line_hl > 0)
     {
 	msg_puts(" linehl=");
@@ -2088,7 +2111,8 @@ get_sign_name(expand_T *xp UNUSED, int idx)
 	{
 	    char *define_arg[] =
 	    {
-		"culhl=", "icon=", "linehl=", "numhl=", "text=", "texthl=", NULL
+		"culhl=", "icon=", "linehl=", "numhl=", "text=", "texthl=", "priority=",
+		NULL
 	    };
 	    return (char_u *)define_arg[idx];
 	}
@@ -2261,6 +2285,7 @@ sign_define_from_dict(char_u *name_arg, dict_T *dict)
     char_u	*texthl = NULL;
     char_u	*culhl = NULL;
     char_u	*numhl = NULL;
+    int		prio = -1;
     int		retval = -1;
 
     if (name_arg == NULL)
@@ -2281,9 +2306,10 @@ sign_define_from_dict(char_u *name_arg, dict_T *dict)
 	texthl = dict_get_string(dict, "texthl", TRUE);
 	culhl = dict_get_string(dict, "culhl", TRUE);
 	numhl = dict_get_string(dict, "numhl", TRUE);
+	prio = dict_get_number_def(dict, "priority", -1);
     }
 
-    if (sign_define_by_name(name, icon, linehl, text, texthl, culhl, numhl) == OK)
+    if (sign_define_by_name(name, icon, linehl, text, texthl, culhl, numhl, prio) == OK)
 	retval = 0;
 
 cleanup:
@@ -2511,7 +2537,7 @@ sign_place_from_dict(
     buf_T	*buf = NULL;
     dictitem_T	*di;
     linenr_T	lnum = 0;
-    int		prio = SIGN_DEF_PRIO;
+    int		prio = -1;
     int		notanum = FALSE;
     int		ret_sign_id = -1;
 
diff --git a/src/testdir/dumps/Test_wildmenu_pum_11.dump b/src/testdir/dumps/Test_wildmenu_pum_11.dump
index 4697c8a562a65..a0ffc74241c4e 100644
--- a/src/testdir/dumps/Test_wildmenu_pum_11.dump
+++ b/src/testdir/dumps/Test_wildmenu_pum_11.dump
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 | +0&#ffffff0@74
 |~+0#4040ff13&| @73
-|~| @73
 |~| @10| +0#0000001#e0e0e08|c|u|l|h|l|=| @8| +0#4040ff13#ffffff0@46
 |~| @10| +0#0000001#ffd7ff255|i|c|o|n|=| @9| +0#4040ff13#ffffff0@46
 |~| @10| +0#0000001#ffd7ff255|l|i|n|e|h|l|=| @7| +0#4040ff13#ffffff0@46
 |~| @10| +0#0000001#ffd7ff255|n|u|m|h|l|=| @8| +0#4040ff13#ffffff0@46
+|~| @10| +0#0000001#ffd7ff255|p|r|i|o|r|i|t|y|=| @5| +0#4040ff13#ffffff0@46
 |~| @10| +0#0000001#ffd7ff255|t|e|x|t|=| @9| +0#4040ff13#ffffff0@46
 |~| @10| +0#0000001#ffd7ff255|t|e|x|t|h|l|=| @7| +0#4040ff13#ffffff0@46
 |:+0#0000000&|s|i|g|n| |d|e|f|i|n|e| |c|u|l|h|l|=> @55
diff --git a/src/testdir/dumps/Test_wildmenu_pum_12.dump b/src/testdir/dumps/Test_wildmenu_pum_12.dump
index d93631de779fa..12842c4a5bb42 100644
--- a/src/testdir/dumps/Test_wildmenu_pum_12.dump
+++ b/src/testdir/dumps/Test_wildmenu_pum_12.dump
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 | +0&#ffffff0@74
 |~+0#4040ff13&| @73
-|~| @73
 |~| @17| +0#0000001#e0e0e08|c|u|l|h|l|=| @8| +0#4040ff13#ffffff0@39
 |~| @17| +0#0000001#ffd7ff255|i|c|o|n|=| @9| +0#4040ff13#ffffff0@39
 |~| @17| +0#0000001#ffd7ff255|l|i|n|e|h|l|=| @7| +0#4040ff13#ffffff0@39
 |~| @17| +0#0000001#ffd7ff255|n|u|m|h|l|=| @8| +0#4040ff13#ffffff0@39
+|~| @17| +0#0000001#ffd7ff255|p|r|i|o|r|i|t|y|=| @5| +0#4040ff13#ffffff0@39
 |~| @17| +0#0000001#ffd7ff255|t|e|x|t|=| @9| +0#4040ff13#ffffff0@39
 |~| @17| +0#0000001#ffd7ff255|t|e|x|t|h|l|=| @7| +0#4040ff13#ffffff0@39
 |:+0#0000000&|s|i|g|n| |d|e|f|i|n|e| |c|u|l|h|l|=| |c|u|l|h|l|=> @48
diff --git a/src/testdir/dumps/Test_wildmenu_pum_13.dump b/src/testdir/dumps/Test_wildmenu_pum_13.dump
index b2b1424f56a31..94a8ccc6d78ad 100644
--- a/src/testdir/dumps/Test_wildmenu_pum_13.dump
+++ b/src/testdir/dumps/Test_wildmenu_pum_13.dump
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 | +0&#ffffff0@74
 |~+0#4040ff13&| @73
-|~| @73
 |~| @24| +0#0000001#e0e0e08|c|u|l|h|l|=| @8| +0#4040ff13#ffffff0@32
 |~| @24| +0#0000001#ffd7ff255|i|c|o|n|=| @9| +0#4040ff13#ffffff0@32
 |~| @24| +0#0000001#ffd7ff255|l|i|n|e|h|l|=| @7| +0#4040ff13#ffffff0@32
 |~| @24| +0#0000001#ffd7ff255|n|u|m|h|l|=| @8| +0#4040ff13#ffffff0@32
+|~| @24| +0#0000001#ffd7ff255|p|r|i|o|r|i|t|y|=| @5| +0#4040ff13#ffffff0@32
 |~| @24| +0#0000001#ffd7ff255|t|e|x|t|=| @9| +0#4040ff13#ffffff0@32
 |~| @24| +0#0000001#ffd7ff255|t|e|x|t|h|l|=| @7| +0#4040ff13#ffffff0@32
 |:+0#0000000&|s|i|g|n| |d|e|f|i|n|e| |c|u|l|h|l|=| |c|u|l|h|l|=| |c|u|l|h|l|=> @41
diff --git a/src/testdir/test_signs.vim b/src/testdir/test_signs.vim
index 0d76d7a445b8a..7f53d62daf339 100644
--- a/src/testdir/test_signs.vim
+++ b/src/testdir/test_signs.vim
@@ -245,7 +245,7 @@ func Test_sign_completion()
   call assert_equal('"sign define jump list place undefine unplace', @:)
 
   call feedkeys(":sign define Sign \<C-A>\<C-B>\"\<CR>", 'tx')
-  call assert_equal('"sign define Sign culhl= icon= linehl= numhl= text= texthl=', @:)
+  call assert_equal('"sign define Sign culhl= icon= linehl= numhl= priority= text= texthl=', @:)
 
   for hl in ['culhl', 'linehl', 'numhl', 'texthl']
     call feedkeys(":sign define Sign "..hl.."=Spell\<C-A>\<C-B>\"\<CR>", 'tx')
@@ -1231,6 +1231,25 @@ func Test_sign_priority()
   call sign_define("sign1", attr)
   call sign_define("sign2", attr)
   call sign_define("sign3", attr)
+  let attr = {'text' : '=>', 'linehl' : 'Search', 'texthl' : 'Search', 'priority': 60}
+  call sign_define("sign4", attr)
+
+  " Test for :sign list
+  let a = execute('sign list')
+  call assert_equal("\nsign sign1 text==> linehl=Search texthl=Search\n" .
+      \ "sign sign2 text==> linehl=Search texthl=Search\n" .
+      \ "sign sign3 text==> linehl=Search texthl=Search\n" .
+      \ "sign sign4 text==> priority=60 linehl=Search texthl=Search", a)
+
+  " Test for sign_getdefined()
+  let s = sign_getdefined()
+  call assert_equal([
+      \ {'name': 'sign1', 'texthl': 'Search', 'linehl': 'Search', 'text': '=>'},
+      \ {'name': 'sign2', 'texthl': 'Search', 'linehl': 'Search', 'text': '=>'},
+      \ {'name': 'sign3', 'texthl': 'Search', 'linehl': 'Search', 'text': '=>'},
+      \ {'name': 'sign4', 'priority': 60, 'texthl': 'Search', 'linehl': 'Search',
+      \ 'text': '=>'}],
+      \ s)
 
   " Place three signs with different priority in the same line
   call writefile(repeat(["Sun is shining"], 30), "Xsign", 'D')
@@ -1585,6 +1604,25 @@ func Test_sign_priority()
   call assert_equal("\n--- Signs ---\nSigns for Xsign:\n" .
 	      \ "    line=10  id=5  group=g1  name=sign1  priority=20\n", a)
 
+  call sign_unplace('*')
+
+  " Test for sign with default priority.
+  call sign_place(1, 'g1', 'sign4', 'Xsign', {'lnum' : 3})
+  sign place 2 line=5 name=sign4 group=g1 file=Xsign
+
+  let s = sign_getplaced('Xsign', {'group' : '*'})
+  call assert_equal([
+	      \ {'id' : 1, 'name' : 'sign4', 'lnum' : 3, 'group' : 'g1',
+	      \ 'priority' : 60},
+	      \ {'id' : 2, 'name' : 'sign4', 'lnum' : 5, 'group' : 'g1',
+	      \ 'priority' : 60}],
+	      \ s[0].signs)
+
+  let a = execute('sign place group=g1')
+  call assert_equal("\n--- Signs ---\nSigns for Xsign:\n" .
+	      \ "    line=3  id=1  group=g1  name=sign4  priority=60\n" .
+	      \ "    line=5  id=2  group=g1  name=sign4  priority=60\n", a)
+
   call sign_unplace('*')
   call sign_undefine()
   enew | only
diff --git a/src/version.c b/src/version.c
index 6b1da3ea7cb6d..7d1c91b8cc9e8 100644
--- a/src/version.c
+++ b/src/version.c
@@ -704,6 +704,8 @@ static char *(features[]) =
 
 static int included_patches[] =
 {   /* Add new patch number below this line */
+/**/
+    538,
 /**/
     537,
 /**/