premier

1 of 3

adjective

pre·​mier pri-ˈmir 

-ˈmyir, 

-ˈmē-ər;

ˈprē-ˌmir 

-ˌmyir, 

-ˌmē-ər, 

ˈpre-

1

: first in position, rank, or importance

the city's premier restaurant

2

: first in time : earliest

premier

2 of 3

noun

: prime minister

premiership

pri-ˈmir-ˌship 

-ˈmyir-, 

-ˈmē-ər-;

ˈprē-ˌmir-, 

-ˌmyir-, 

-ˌmē-ər-, 

ˈpre-

noun

premier

3 of 3

verb

pre·​mier

less common spelling of premiere entry 2

intransitive verb

1

: to have a first public performance

The movie/play will premiere next week.

2

: to appear for the first time as a star performer

He premiered in the title role on Broadway.

transitive verb

: to give a first public performance of

The movie was premiered at the film festival.

Synonyms of premier

Adjective

• first
• initial
• foremost
• inaugural
• original
• earliest
• maiden
• pioneer

Examples of premier in a Sentence

Adjective

a space shuttle on its premier voyage

the premier authority on butterflies

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Kiffin was hired as the Ole Miss head coach in December 2019 and has rebuilt the program into one of the premier teams in the SEC. —Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025

Arabella Advisors, a for-profit consultancy that previously managed one of the left’s premier dark money networks, has restructured amid scrutiny from the Right. —Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 21 Nov. 2025

Noun

Known as one of the NHL’s premier passers during his prime, Thornton is also seventh all-time with 1,109 assists and now joins several of his childhood idols in hockey immortality. —Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2025

However, the pair were spotted being warm and affectionate toward each other at the Season 5 premier on November 6. —Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025

Verb

The second and third episodes will premier on Dec. 4 and Jan. 1, respectively. —Katie Bain, Billboard, 6 Nov. 2025

Slated to premier in 2026, Bachelor Mansion Takeover enlists 12 former Bachelor, Bachelorette, Golden Bachelor and Golden Bachelorette contestants to help transform the series' iconic California property — and PEOPLE got an exclusive first look at the cast list! —Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English primer, primier "first in time, first in rank, foremost," borrowed from Anglo-French primer, premer, premyer "first, earliest, most important" (continental Old & Middle French primier, premier), going back to Latin prīmārius "of the highest importance or station (of persons), first-rate, chief" — more at primary entry 1

Note: Since its adoption in late Middle English, this word has shown influence in both pronunciation and spelling from Middle French and French premier.

Noun

short for premier minister, after French premier ministre "first minister"

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1707, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing premier

• premier danseur

Rhymes for premier

• adhere
• ameer
• amir
• appear
• arrear
• astir
• austere
• career
• cashier
• cohere
• compere
• emir

Kids Definition

premier

1 of 2 adjective

pre·​mier pri-ˈm(y)i(ə)r  ˈprē-mē-ər 

ˈprem-ē-

1

: first in position, rank, or importance : principal

2

: first in time : earliest

premier

2 of 2 noun

: the chief minister of government : prime minister

premiership

-ˌship 

noun