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

Our cities and neighborhoods have already sacrificed so much of their humanity to the primacy of the automobile. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026

Who knows the reasons for this choice—band dynamics are a psychedelic kaleidoscope of competing imperatives—but whatever the case, by 2003’s Dear Catastrophe Waitress, Murdoch had been largely restored to creative primacy, on both that record and The Life Pursuit. —Elizabeth Nelson, Pitchfork, 22 Jan. 2026

Benitez pointed to the ongoing war in Ukraine and the growing primacy of drone warfare as reasons to dramatically expand America’s drone manufacturing capacity. —Jared Perlo, NBC news, 18 Jan. 2026

The shoes reveal the body with a décolleté cut, connecting to the primacy of the human form which is part of Piccioli’s creative approach at the house. —Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 15 Jan. 2026

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