primarily
adverb
pri·mar·i·ly
prī-ˈmer-ə-lē 
also prə-,
chiefly British ˈprī-mə-rə-lē
1
: for the most part : chiefly
has now become primarily a residential town—
S. P. B. Mais
S. P. B. Mais2
: in the first place : originally
Examples of primarily in a Sentence
the university was primarily an agricultural college when it was founded over two centuries ago
ketchup is primarily made from tomatoes
Recent Examples on the Web
That’s proven to be a fruitful investment for the Yankees, who have primarily rotated Bellinger in the three outfield spots but use him intermittently at first base, too.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 12 July 2025
Although the focus for crypto policy and lawmakers more generally have been focused on stablecoins – primarily due to the ease with which they are explained and embedded low volatility – these cryptoassets are just the beginning of a much broader conversation.
—Sean Stein Smith, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
The state’s measles outbreak began earlier this year in West Texas, primarily in regions around the South Plains and Texas Panhandle.
—Brayden Garcia
july 11, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2025
Cottonmouth snake size How to identify a rattlesnake The habitat range of rattlesnakes reaches across the majority of the United States, primarily in the desert, mountains, prairies and along coastlines.
—Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for primarily
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Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 12 July 2025
Although the focus for crypto policy and lawmakers more generally have been focused on stablecoins – primarily due to the ease with which they are explained and embedded low volatility – these cryptoassets are just the beginning of a much broader conversation.
—Sean Stein Smith, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
The state’s measles outbreak began earlier this year in West Texas, primarily in regions around the South Plains and Texas Panhandle.
—Brayden Garcia
july 11, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2025
Cottonmouth snake size How to identify a rattlesnake The habitat range of rattlesnakes reaches across the majority of the United States, primarily in the desert, mountains, prairies and along coastlines.
—Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for primarily
Cite this Entry
“Primarily.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/primarily. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
primarily
adverb
pri·mar·i·ly
prī-ˈmer-ə-lē
1
: for the most part : chiefly
2
: in the first place : originally
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