premier

1 of 3

adjective

pre·​mier pri-ˈmir How to pronounce premier (audio)
-ˈmyir,
-ˈmē-ər;
ˈprē-ˌmir How to pronounce premier (audio)
-ˌmyir,
-ˌmē-ər,
ˈpre-
1
: first in position, rank, or importance
2
: first in time : earliest

premier

2 of 3

noun

premiership
pri-ˈmir-ˌship How to pronounce premier (audio)
-ˈmyir-
-ˈmē-ər-;
ˈprē-ˌmir-
-ˌmyir-
-ˌmē-ər-
ˈpre-
noun

premier

3 of 3

verb

pre·​mier pri-ˈmyer How to pronounce premier (audio) -ˈmir How to pronounce premier (audio)
-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

Examples of premier in a Sentence

Adjective a space shuttle on its premier voyage the premier authority on butterflies
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.
Adjective
The quest for only premier art leaves most artists who produce good quality but not world-class works with little if any support system to sustain them and their families. Debra Utacia Krol, USA TODAY, 28 Nov. 2024 Hulu, which launched in 2007, is one of Hollywood’s premier streaming services, with thousands of TV shows and movies, including Emmy-winning original programs like The Bear, Only Murders in the Building, and The Handmaid’s Tale. Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 27 Nov. 2024
Noun
Take advantage of the rare opportunity to buy premier cookware at a discount. Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 29 Nov. 2024 One cameraman spotted him behind a nearby palm tree alongside Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Italian premier Giorgia Meloni. Hannah Peart, NBC News, 19 Nov. 2024
Verb
In addition to the day trips from New York City's Penn Station to Albany, this year will premier two new offerings, including overnight itineraries between Chicago and New York. Hannah Towey, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Mar. 2024 In addition, PSBs including DR Denmark, YLE Finland, NRK Norway, SVT Sweden and VRT Belgium will premier in their territories, with RTL Netherlands and Nine Network Australia having rights in their countries. Alex Ritman, Variety, 26 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for premier 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of premier was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near premier

Cite this Entry

“Premier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/premier. Accessed 8 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

premier

1 of 2 adjective
pre·​mier pri-ˈm(y)i(ə)r How to pronounce premier (audio) ˈprē-mē-ər How to pronounce premier (audio)
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 noun

More from Merriam-Webster on premier

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