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

• first
• initial
• foremost
• inaugural
• original
• earliest
• maiden
• pioneer

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

The International, a premier golf club steeped in rich history that’s just 35 minutes outside of Boston, debuted a brand-new course earlier this summer. —Katie Sweeney, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025

Canada, which topped the chart as the premier international market for visitors arriving in Las Vegas on a direct flight for the past three years, has also experienced sharp drops. —Solcyré Burga, Time, 13 Aug. 2025

Noun

Guest room options range from a deluxe with a king-size bed to a premier, which has a private balcony and two queen-size beds. —Mae Hamilton, Travel + Leisure, 8 Aug. 2025

Casa de Campo Resort and Villas in La Romana, Dominican Republic As one of the Caribbean’s premier sporting resorts, Casa de Campo Resort and Villas is a playground for active travelers who can spend their vacation golfing, sailing, fishing, playing polo. —Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025

Verb

As for Kim, his new spy-thriller, six-episode series Butterfly will premier on Amazon’s Prime Video on Aug. 13. —Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019

Wana Brands, a leader in edibles and other products, premier a hemp line. —Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for premier

• adhere
• ameer
• amir
• appear
• arrear
• astir
• austere
• career
• cashier
• cohere
• compere
• emir

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