primer

1 of 2

noun (1)

prim·​er ˈpri-mər How to pronounce primer (audio)
 chiefly British  ˈprī-mə
1
: a small book for teaching children to read
2
: a small introductory book on a subject
3
: a short informative piece of writing

primer

2 of 2

noun (2)

prim·​er ˈprī-mər How to pronounce primer (audio)
1
: a device for priming
especially : a cap, tube, or wafer containing percussion powder or compound used to ignite an explosive charge
2
: material used in priming a surface

called also prime coat

3
: a molecule (such as a short strand of RNA or DNA) whose presence is required for formation of another molecule (such as a longer chain of DNA)

Did you know?

Primers were once a standard part of every child's education. The first primer printed in North America, The New England Primer (ca. 1690), was typical; it contained many quotations from the Bible and many moral lessons, and the text was accompanied by numerous woodcut illustrations. We no longer use the word in early education, but it's widely used in everyday speech. Notice how primer is pronounced; don't mix it up with the kind of paint that's pronounced with a long *i *sound.

Examples of primer in a Sentence

Noun (1) a primer of human anatomy
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.
Noun
In a viral unboxing video, the new mother revealed that inside the small black-and-white Chanel bag were two lash primers, a lipstick, and body oil. Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 27 July 2025 While those in the UK have been inundated with the company’s ads, here’s a primer for the uninitiated: Jet2holidays offers vacation packages, including all-inclusives, in hotspots throughout Europe, ranging from the Amalfi Coast to Greek islands and more. Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025 Katie Woo and Keith Law have an awesome draft primer right here. Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 11 July 2025 Kesha was styled in a custom miniskirt and bracelet made entirely of e.l.f.’s Jelly Pop primer tubes and lip oil respectively, designed by conceptual artist Gab Bois. Essence, 28 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for primer

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, "layperson's prayer book," borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Medieval Latin prīmārius, prīmārium, noun derivatives from masculine and neuter of prīmārius "lying at the beginning, primary entry 1"

Noun (2)

prime entry 3 + -er entry 2

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1650, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of primer was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Primer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/primer. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

primer

1 of 2 noun
prim·​er ˈprim-ər How to pronounce primer (audio)
 especially British  ˈprī-mər
1
: a small book for teaching children to read
2
: a book that introduces a subject
a primer of chemistry
3
: a short informative piece of writing
a primer on healthy eating

primer

2 of 2 noun
prim·​er ˈprī-mər How to pronounce primer (audio)
1
: a device (as a cap or tube) containing a small explosive charge that is used for setting off a larger explosive charge (as in a cartridge)
2
: material used in priming a surface

Medical Definition

primer

noun
prim·​er ˈprī-mər How to pronounce primer (audio)
: a molecule (as a short strand of RNA or DNA) whose presence is required for formation of another molecule (as a longer chain of DNA)

More from Merriam-Webster on primer

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