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

And anyone who watched the first Test will surely agree that the primacy of Test and international cricket should still be paramount. —Paul Newman, New York Times, 30 June 2025

In their current form, those partnerships reflect the asymmetries of a different era, when American military primacy appeared uncontested and immutable. —Ely Ratner, Foreign Affairs, 27 May 2025

Bond market volatility is also calling the dollar’s primacy into question, and the United States’ global credit rating has slid. —Rebecca Lissner, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025

The fact that the dollar increased in value against other currencies traditionally perceived as safe havens, such as the Swiss franc and Japanese yen, emphasizes the primacy of king dollar, despite rumblings of de-dollarization and concerns over U.S. government debt. —Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 16 June 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