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

Despite this, some have questioned whether Saban is truly done with coaching if the right opportunity presents itself, particularly after premier jobs like the Florida Gators and Penn State vacancies ended up opening up. —Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025

His College Football Playoff semifinal appearance last season probably gives him a better chance than either Orgeron or Fisher at returning at something resembling a premier job. —Blake Toppmeyer, USA TODAY, 23 Oct. 2025

Noun

Rancho San Vicente has become a premier viewing location for raptors along the Pacific Flyway. —Joan Morris, Mercury News, 21 Oct. 2025

Fresh off a World Series title, the defending champions continued their winning ways in the winter by acquiring premier pitching talent. —MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025

Verb

Slated to premier in 2026, Bachelor Mansion Takeover enlists 12 former Bachelor, Bachelorette, Golden Bachelor and Golden Bachelorette contestants to help transform the series' iconic California property — and PEOPLE got an exclusive first look at the cast list! —Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025

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