primacy
noun
pri·ma·cy
ˈprī-mə-sē 
1
: the state of being first (as in importance, order, or rank) : preeminence
the primacy of intellectual and esthetic over materialistic values—
T. R. McConnell
T. R. McConnell2
: the office, rank, or preeminence of an ecclesiastical primate
Synonyms
Examples of primacy in a Sentence
Civil law took primacy over religious law.
She has established primacy in her field of study.
Recent Examples on the Web
The primacy of winning informs every aspect of Trump’s story-world.
—Dan Bekerman, Deadline, 1 Nov. 2024
The ensuing four decades of shareholder primacy have done major damage to the American dream of rising prosperity for anyone willing to work hard.
—Peter Georgescu, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
But an effort to restore this primacy would be seen by many Asian countries as disastrously revisionist.
—Susannah Patton, Foreign Affairs, 13 Sep. 2024
No one on the show seems to question the primacy of beauty.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 27 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for primacy 
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.
Dan Bekerman, Deadline, 1 Nov. 2024
The ensuing four decades of shareholder primacy have done major damage to the American dream of rising prosperity for anyone willing to work hard.
—Peter Georgescu, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
But an effort to restore this primacy would be seen by many Asian countries as disastrously revisionist.
—Susannah Patton, Foreign Affairs, 13 Sep. 2024
No one on the show seems to question the primacy of beauty.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 27 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for primacy
Dictionary Entries Near primacy
Cite this Entry
“Primacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/primacy. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
primacy
noun
pri·ma·cy
ˈprī-mə-sē
plural primacies
1
: the state of being first (as in time, place, or rank)
2
: the office or dignity of a bishop of the highest rank
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share