preeminence

noun

pre·​em·​i·​nence prē-ˈe-mə-nən(t)s How to pronounce preeminence (audio)
: the quality or state of being preeminent : superiority

Examples of preeminence in a Sentence

the restaurant is known for the preeminence of its seafood dishes some historians contended that no nation had attained such undisputed preeminence since the glory days of the Roman Empire
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Americans should remain confident in the effectiveness and preeminence of the U.S. transplant system. James F. Markmann, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025 Musk’s preeminence marks a profound shift in the history of American political economy. Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 28 July 2025 Moreover, despite being heavily sanctioned, Cuba continues to have prominence—even preeminence—on the world stage thanks to its renowned cigars. Kevin Rozario, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025 The rising cost of dinner and a movie reflects a wider trend: Besides recent inflation, a strong dollar and the preeminence of U.S. capital markets have pushed prices up across America over the past decade-plus. Greg McKenna, Fortune, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for preeminence

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of preeminence was in the 13th century

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Cite this Entry

“Preeminence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preeminence. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

preeminence

noun
pre·​em·​i·​nence prē-ˈem-ə-nən(t)s How to pronounce preeminence (audio)
: the quality or state of being preeminent

More from Merriam-Webster on preeminence

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