pri·ma·ry
ˈprī-ˌmer-ē 
ˈprī-mə-rē
ˈprī-mə-rē
ˈprīm-rē
1
: first in order of time or development : primitive
the primary stage of civilization
the primary lesion of a disease
2
a
: of first rank, importance, or value : principal
the primary purpose
b
: basic, fundamental
security is a primary need
c
: of, relating to, or constituting the principal flight feathers of a bird's wing
d
: of or relating to agriculture, forestry, and the extractive industries or their products
e
: expressive of present or future time
primary tense
f
: of, relating to, or constituting the strongest of the three or four degrees of stress recognized by most linguists
the first syllable of basketball carries primary stress
3
b
: not derivable from other colors, odors, or tastes
c
: preparatory to something else in a continuing process
primary instruction
d
: of or relating to a primary school
primary education
e
: of or relating to a primary election
a primary candidate
f
: belonging to the first group or order in successive divisions, combinations, or ramifications
primary nerves
g
: directly derived from ores
primary metals
h
: of, relating to, or being the amino acid sequence in proteins
primary protein structure
4
: resulting from the substitution of one of two or more atoms or groups in a molecule
a primary amine
especially
: being or characterized by a carbon atom having a bond to only one other carbon atom
5
: of, relating to, involving, or derived from primary meristem
primary tissue
primary growth
6
: of, relating to, or involved in the production of organic substances by green plants
primary productivity
7
: providing primary care
a primary physician
plural primaries
1
: something that stands first in rank, importance, or value : fundamental
—usually used in plural
2
: the celestial body around which one or more other celestial bodies revolve
especially
: the more massive usually brighter component of a binary star system
3
: one of the usually 9 or 10 strong flight feathers on the distal joint of a bird's wing see wing illustration
4
a
b
: the sensation of seeing primary colors
5
a
: caucus
b
: an election in which qualified voters nominate or express a preference for a particular candidate or group of candidates for political office, choose party officials, or select delegates for a party convention
6
: the coil that is connected to the source of electricity in an induction coil or transformer
called also primary coil
primaried; primarying; primaries
: to run against (an incumbent) in a primary election
She won the seat in 2020 after successfully primarying a veteran Democrat in the district.—
Brianne Pfannenstiel
—usually used in the passiveBrianne PfannenstielBut he's apparently going to be primaried—by a couple of people you've never heard of …—Gail Collins
Gail CollinsHe served a single term … but was primaried, and soundly defeated, in his bid for reelection.—Daniel Foster
Daniel FosterSynonyms
Adjective
Examples of primary in a Sentence
Adjective
The economy was the primary focus of the debate.
The family is the primary social unit of human life.
The primary function of our schools is to educate our young people.
We just started our primary flight training.
The book is based mainly on primary sources rather than secondary sources.
Recent Examples on the WebSiddhant Adlakha, Variety, 19 June 2024
In an interview with this news organization, the mayor said that residential towers rather than office high-rises might be the primary type of development in downtown San Jose.
—George Avalos, The Mercury News, 19 June 2024
Marianne Levine, Washington Post, 19 June 2024
Subramanyam won a 12-way Democratic primary, besting state Del. Dan Helmer, who was the top fundraiser in the race.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 19 June 2024
Melody Lopez, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2024
Lee, who worked in DeSantis’ administration and was the only Florida member of Congress who endorsed him in his run for president, might need the help, considering Trump called for a ‘MAGA’ candidate to primary her.
—Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 3 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for primary 
Adjective
Director Joslyn Jensen appears on-screen early into the runtime and becomes a primary character in the film.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 19 June 2024
In an interview with this news organization, the mayor said that residential towers rather than office high-rises might be the primary type of development in downtown San Jose.
—George Avalos, The Mercury News, 19 June 2024
Noun
Trump was referring to Rubio’s awkward attack on him — an implicit reference to male anatomy — during the 2016 primary, when the two were bitter rivals, charting different courses for the GOP.
—Marianne Levine, Washington Post, 19 June 2024
Subramanyam won a 12-way Democratic primary, besting state Del. Dan Helmer, who was the top fundraiser in the race.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 19 June 2024
Verb
Enacting a last minute new map, forcing voters to wonder why their community’s representation is inexplicably divided, and scrambling candidates to primary each other for their best chance at reelection, is not in the best interest of voters.
—Melody Lopez, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2024
Lee, who worked in DeSantis’ administration and was the only Florida member of Congress who endorsed him in his run for president, might need the help, considering Trump called for a ‘MAGA’ candidate to primary her.
—Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 3 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for primary
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'primary.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near primary
Cite this Entry
“Primary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/primary. Accessed 27 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
primary
1 of 2 adjective
pri·ma·ry
ˈprī-ˌmer-ē
ˈprīm-(ə-)rē
ˈprīm-(ə-)rē
2
a
: of first rank, importance, or value
our primary duties
b
: basic entry 1 sense 1, fundamental
the family is the primary unit of human association
c
: of, relating to, or being one of the principal flight feathers of a bird's wing located on the outer joint
d
: of, relating to, or being the strongest of three levels of stress in pronunciation
3
a
: not made or coming from something else : firsthand
a primary source of information
b
: of, relating to, or being the current or circuit that is connected to the source of electricity in an induction coil or transformer
primary
2 of 2 noun
plural primaries
1
: one of the usually nine or ten strong flight feathers on the outer joint of a bird's wing
2
3
: an election in which members of a political party nominate candidates for office
4
: the coil that is connected to the source of electricity in an induction coil or transformer
called also primary coil
Medical Definition
primary
1 of 2 adjective
pri·ma·ry
ˈprī-ˌmer-ē
ˈprīm-(ə-)rē
ˈprīm-(ə-)rē
1
a(1)
: first in order of time or development
(2)
: relating to or being the milk teeth and especially the 20 milk teeth in the human set
b(1)
: arising spontaneously : idiopathic
primary insomnia
the absence of any pelvic abnormality confirmed the diagnosis of primary dysmenorrhea
(2)
: being an initial tumor or site especially of cancer
efforts to find the primary tumor have failed—Raphael Feinmesser
Raphael Feinmesser
c
: providing primary care
a primary physician
2
: not derivable from other colors, odors, or tastes
3
: belonging to the first group or order in successive divisions, combinations, or ramifications
primary nerves
4
: of, relating to, or being the amino acid sequence in proteins
primary protein structure
compare secondary sense 3, tertiary entry 2 sense 2c
5
: resulting from the substitution of one of two or more atoms or groups in a molecule
especially
: being or characterized by a carbon atom having a bond to only one other carbon atom
Legal Definition
primary
1 of 2 adjective
pri·ma·ry
ˈprī-ˌmer-ē, -mə-rē
1
: of first rank, value, or importance
2
: belonging to the first group or order in successive divisions, combinations, or ramifications
primary
2 of 2 noun
plural primaries
1
: caucus
2
: an election in which qualified voters nominate or express a preference for a particular candidate or group of candidates for political office, choose party officials, or select delegates for a party convention
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