premier

1 of 3

adjective

pre·​mier pri-ˈmir 

-ˈmyir,

-ˈmē-ər;

ˈprē-ˌmir 

-ˌmyir,

-ˌmē-ər,

ˈpre-

1

: first in position, rank, or importance

2

: first in time : earliest

premier

2 of 3

noun

: prime minister

premiership

pri-ˈmir-ˌship 

-ˈmyir-

-ˈmē-ər-;

ˈprē-ˌmir-

-ˌmyir-

-ˌmē-ər-

ˈpre-

noun

premier

3 of 3

verb

pre·​mier pri-ˈmyer  -ˈmir 

-ˈmē-ər;

ˌpri-mē-ˈer

less common spelling of premiere entry 2

intransitive verb

1

: to have a first public performance

2

: to appear for the first time as a star performer

transitive verb

: to give a first public performance of

Synonyms

Adjective

• earliest
• first
• foremost
• headmost
• inaugural
• initial
• leadoff
• maiden
• original
• pioneer
• virgin

Examples of premier in a Sentence

Adjective

a space shuttle on its premier voyage

the premier authority on butterflies

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

One of the biggest new protests on Wednesday was in Texas, where dozens of police officers, many of them in riot gear and some of them on horseback, blocked the path of protesters at the state’s premier public university, the University of Texas at Austin. —Jenna Russell, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2024

Lake Okeechobee is one of the country’s premier destinations for catching big largemouth bass, and a recent trip lived up to that reputation. —Steve Waters, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English primer, primier "first in time, first in rank, foremost," borrowed from Anglo-French primer, premer, premyer "first, earliest, most important" (continental Old & Middle French primier, premier), going back to Latin prīmārius "of the highest importance or station (of persons), first-rate, chief" — more at primary entry 1

Note: Since its adoption in late Middle English, this word has shown influence in both pronunciation and spelling from Middle French and French premier.

Noun

short for premier minister, after French premier ministre "first minister"

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1707, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing premier

• premier danseur

Kids Definition

premier

1 of 2 adjective

pre·​mier pri-ˈm(y)i(ə)r  ˈprē-mē-ər 

ˈprem-ē-

1

: first in position, rank, or importance : principal

2

: first in time : earliest

premier

2 of 2 noun

: the chief minister of government : prime minister

premiership

-ˌship 

noun