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

the city's premier restaurant

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

less common spelling of premiere entry 2

intransitive verb

1

: to have a first public performance

The movie/play will premiere next week.

2

: to appear for the first time as a star performer

He premiered in the title role on Broadway.

transitive verb

: to give a first public performance of

The movie was premiered at the film festival.

Synonyms of premier

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

It may also be remembered as the moment volleyball secured its rightful place among America's premier spectator sports. — Tim Genske, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026

To close out the night, all eyes were on the Freedom’s John Crimber, the team’s premier rider. — Ava Dicecca, Sun Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2026

Noun

The Delaware, in New Mexico and West Texas, is part of the larger Permian basin, and is one of the world’s premier basins for producing oil and gas. — Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026

In the past four months, China’s foreign minister and the head of its top political advisory body met with Kim in Pyongyang, and North Korea’s premier visited China and met with Xi. — Zheng Jiyong, Foreign Affairs, 10 Aug. 2026

Verb

In 1991, he was tapped to manage the economy as a vice premier and was promoted to premier seven years later. — Cnn Staff, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026

However, it is expected to premier in the fall of 2026. — Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 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