primary school

noun

1

: a school usually including the first three grades of elementary school but sometimes also including kindergarten

2

: elementary school

Examples of primary school in a Sentence

She goes to primary school.

Recent Examples on the Web

The group’s harsh interpretation of Islamic rule excludes girls and women, who make up half of Afghanistan’s estimated 50 million people, from any meaningful education or employment opportunity, beyond primary school. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 17 Aug. 2026

Years earlier, Luwi had fought to change the name of his children’s primary school to Gajdusek Memorial Community School. — Rachel Aviv, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026

His two sisters were students before the Taliban prohibited girls from continuing beyond primary school. — Fatima Faizi, NPR, 14 Aug. 2026

Any students attending primary school in either district won't be able to use their phones, while high school students will face restrictions. — Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

translation of French école primaire

First Known Use

1792, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for primary school

• ampoule
• bascule
• carpool
• cesspool
• ferrule
• footstool
• guayule
• lobule
• misrule
• preschool
• pustule
• whirlpool