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

In the later years of its primacy, though, the world was ripe for a new art about things, and recognizable images. —Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 21 Feb. 2026

Debate over this culminated in the stakeholder capitalism notion pronounced by the Business Roundtable and signed onto by almost 200 public company CEOs shortly before the pandemic, which rejected the shareholder primacy theory, long the foundation of corporate governance. —Robert Profusek, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026

Thus, a theatrical window of sufficient length is vital to protect the level and duration of cultural primacy needed to create enduring value. —Joseph M. Singer, Deadline, 6 Feb. 2026

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

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