primer

1 of 2

noun (1)

prim·​er ˈpri-mər 

 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 

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.

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• handbook
• manual
• text
• textbook

Examples of primer in a Sentence

Noun (1)

a primer of human anatomy

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This primer provides an overview of some of the key groups that have embraced accelerationist thinking, posing significant threats to public safety, democratic institutions and social cohesion. —Art Jipson, The Conversation, 11 June 2025

For those unfamiliar with cricket, here is a primer about the sport and what’s happening at the Coliseum starting Thursday. —Laurence Miedema, Mercury News, 11 June 2025

Astros trade deadline primer: 3 early storylines to watch Seven weeks from the trade deadline, the Astros are in the market for a starting pitcher and a left-handed hitting bat. —Chandler Rome, New York Times, 11 June 2025

Stahl argues that filmmakers need an understanding of the forces shaping the entire global economy, and offers a vital primer about where our work fits in. —Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 9 June 2025

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

Rhymes for primer

• climber
• dimer
• eimer
• rhymer
• timer
• alzheimer
• heterodimer

Kids Definition

primer

1 of 2 noun

prim·​er ˈprim-ər 

 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 

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 

: 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)