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

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 pri-ˈmyer  -ˈmir 

-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

Synonyms

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

Henry Wesley, executive chef of Steakhouse Bourre Bonne, previously worked at Jeff Ruby's, Le Moo and other premier restaurants in Louisville. —Ray Padilla, The Courier-Journal, 30 Aug. 2025

Perhaps in this case, however, the old adage that all publicity is good publicity is very applicable here, because all of the intrigue surrounding Belichick — whose personal life was historically shrouded in mystery — has made North Carolina that much more of a premier team. —Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025

Noun

Fort Stewart in Georgia houses the US Army’s vaunted 3rd Infantry Division, a premier fighting force roughly 20,000 soldiers strong. —Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2025

Guest room options range from a deluxe with a king-size bed to a premier, which has a private balcony and two queen-size beds. —Mae Hamilton, Travel + Leisure, 8 Aug. 2025

Verb

Wana Brands, a leader in edibles and other products, premier a hemp line. —Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2025

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

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