preeminence

noun

pre·​em·​i·​nence prē-ˈe-mə-nən(t)s 

: the quality or state of being preeminent : superiority

Synonyms

• choiceness
• distinction
• excellence
• excellency
• first-rateness
• greatness
• perfection
• primeness
• superbness
• superiority
• supremacy

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

Johnson communicated urgency about the changes that need to happen for the U.S. to maintain its preeminence. —The Editors, National Review, 10 July 2024

The first priority was to make sure diplomats understood what was at stake as the US and its rivals compete for global preeminence on tech issues. —Eric Geller, WIRED, 2 July 2024

The Board of Governors and the state legislature approved a law in 2013 that launched its preeminence program for universities. —Jimena Tavel, Miami Herald, 28 June 2024

Hamas’s relations with Tehran were repaired only a few years before the October 7 attacks, after Hamas’s military leaders in Gaza gained preeminence within the group. —Joost Hiltermann, Foreign Affairs, 28 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

preeminence

noun

pre·​em·​i·​nence prē-ˈem-ə-nən(t)s 

: the quality or state of being preeminent