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

• 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

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

Both Democratic and Republican leaders, from Nancy Pelosi to Mitch McConnell, agree that the United States should pursue primacy. —David C. Kang, Foreign Affairs, 19 Sep. 2025

The twin bases of the American experiment in political pluralism—the fable about the United States as a land of immigrants and the reality of unchallenged global primacy—are simultaneously crumbling. —Pankaj Mishra, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025

Most Americans know his name, his primacy among blues legends, and the singular identity of his beloved hollow-body Gibson guitar named Lucille. —Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 16 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