primacy

noun

pri·​ma·​cy ˈprī-mə-sē How to pronounce primacy (audio)
1
: the state of being first (as in importance, order, or rank) : preeminence
the primacy of intellectual and esthetic over materialistic valuesT. R. McConnell
2
: the office, rank, or preeminence of an ecclesiastical primate

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
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.
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 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English primacie, borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Medieval Latin prīmātia "office of a primate," from prīmāt-, prīmās "leading bishop in an ecclesiastical province, primate" + Latin -ia -y entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of primacy was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near primacy

Cite this Entry

“Primacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/primacy. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

primacy

noun
pri·​ma·​cy ˈprī-mə-sē How to pronounce primacy (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on primacy

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