primacy

noun

pri·​ma·​cy ˈprī-mə-sē 

1

: the state of being first (as in importance, order, or rank) : preeminence

… the primacy of intellectual and esthetic over materialistic values.

—T. R. McConnell

2

: the office, rank, or preeminence of an ecclesiastical primate

Synonyms of primacy

• dominance
• superiority
• distinction
• supremacy
• reputation

Examples of primacy in a Sentence

Civil law took primacy over religious law.

She has established primacy in her field of study.

Recent Examples on the Web

The mere fact of the encounter takes primacy over the quality of it. — Kristian Vistrup Madsen, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026

Women have dominated the pop charts for more than a decade, and their primacy is evident even this November, which begins the end-of-the-year lull in major tours. — Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 30 Oct. 2026

Britain, though, could claim primacy in the organization of the rare book trade, with the establishment of the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association in 1906. — Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026

The new reading wars, in that sense, are largely about the primacy of taste. — Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English primacie, borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Medieval Latin prīmātia "office of a primate," from prīmāt-, prīmās "leading bishop in an ecclesiastical province, primate" + Latin -ia -y entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

primacy

noun

pri·​ma·​cy ˈprī-mə-sē 

plural primacies

1

: the state of being first (as in time, place, or rank)

2

: the office or dignity of a bishop of the highest rank