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 of primer

Noun (1)

• handbook
• manual
• textbook
• text

Examples of primer in a Sentence

Noun (1)

a primer of human anatomy

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The vehicles may have been manufactured without the power moonroof being properly installed due to a lack of primer, according to the recall notice. —Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 4 June 2026

But that wistfulness is balanced with an urgent call to action, as primers on past civil rights legislation highlight the fragility of progress and interactive displays solicit commitments for civic service. —Sam Cochran, Architectural Digest, 4 June 2026

In the meantime, here's a primer on Richards, his successful modeling career, and what he's been up to since leaving von Mierers' cult behind. —Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 2 June 2026

All of the product names are fun nods to Old Hollywood, like Camera Ready, a hydrating primer; Luminous Brightening, a vitamin C cream-serum; Satin Resurfacing, an AHA/PHA exfoliating serum; and Take One Cleansing Honey, a facial cleanser. —Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026

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)