primate

noun

pri·​mate
ˈprī-ˌmāt,
or especially for sense 1
-mət How to pronounce primate (audio)
1
often capitalized : a bishop who has precedence in a province, a group of provinces, or a nation
2
archaic : one first in authority or rank : leader
3
: any of an order (Primates) of mammals that are characterized especially by advanced development of binocular vision resulting in stereoscopic depth perception, specialization of the hands and feet for grasping, and enlargement of the cerebral hemispheres and that include humans, apes, monkeys, and related forms (such as lemurs and tarsiers)
primateship noun
primatial adjective

Examples of primate in a Sentence

the Primate of England and Wales
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
These marsupials are probably ecological analogues of early primates. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 24 June 2025 This study of Texas marsupials, supported by The Leakey Foundation, can also provide valuable insights into the lifestyles and evolution of early primates. Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 24 June 2025 The Fudan team is currently working on long-term safety assessments of their implants in non-human primates and on improving the coupling between the retina and the implant. ArsTechnica, 12 June 2025 Well, there is a sugar molecule called Alpha-Gal found in all mammals except human beings and a few other primates. Steve Bender, Southern Living, 4 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for primate

Word History

Etymology

Middle English primat, primate, borrowed from Anglo-French primat, primas, borrowed from Late Latin prīmāt-, prīmās "chief, superior, chief bishop," noun derivative of Latin prīmāt-, prīmās "of the highest rank, noble," from prīmus "first, foremost" + -āt-, -ās, adjective-forming suffix, originally from place names; (sense 3) after New Latin Primates (order name introduced by linnaeus), plural of Latin prīmās — more at prime entry 1

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of primate was in the 13th century

Cite this Entry

“Primate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/primate. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

primate

noun
pri·​mate ˈprī-ˌmāt How to pronounce primate (audio)
 or especially for 1  -mət
1
: a bishop or archbishop of the highest rank in a district, nation, or church
2
: any of an order of mammals that are characterized by hands and feet that grasp, a relatively large complex brain, and vision in which objects are seen in three dimensions and that includes human beings, apes, monkeys, and related forms (as lemurs and tarsiers)

Medical Definition

primate

noun
pri·​mate ˈprī-ˌmāt How to pronounce primate (audio)
: any mammal of the order Primates

More from Merriam-Webster on primate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!