primacy

noun

pri·​ma·​cy ˈprī-mə-sē 

1

: the state of being first (as in importance, order, or rank) : preeminence

… the primacy of intellectual and esthetic over materialistic values.

—T. R. McConnell

2

: the office, rank, or preeminence of an ecclesiastical primate

Synonyms of primacy

• dominance
• superiority
• distinction
• supremacy
• reputation

Examples of primacy in a Sentence

Civil law took primacy over religious law.

She has established primacy in her field of study.

Recent Examples on the Web

Pilgrims’ primacy The Pilgrims were latecomers to the Thanksgiving table. —Thomas Tweed, The Conversation, 13 Nov. 2025

Like the larger Sureños gang, their members generally recognize the primacy of the Mexican Mafia prison gang, and use the color blue and the number 13 as symbols. —Harry Harris, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025

Scholar Mary Jane Edwards is one who asserts the book’s primacy. —JSTOR Daily, 18 Oct. 2025

These included internal political stability, national sovereignty and territorial integrity, the primacy of the CCP, and economic and social development. —David C. Kang, Foreign Affairs, 19 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English primacie, borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Medieval Latin prīmātia "office of a primate," from prīmāt-, prīmās "leading bishop in an ecclesiastical province, primate" + Latin -ia -y entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

primacy

noun

pri·​ma·​cy ˈprī-mə-sē 

plural primacies

1

: the state of being first (as in time, place, or rank)

2

: the office or dignity of a bishop of the highest rank