1
a
: first in rank, authority, or significance : principal
a prime example
b
: having the highest quality or value
prime farmland
c
: of the highest grade regularly marketed
—used of meat and especially beef
2
: first in time : original
3
a
: of, relating to, or being a prime number compare relatively prime
b
: having no polynomial factors other than itself and no monomial factors other than 1
a prime polynomial
c
: expressed as a product of prime factors (such as prime numbers and prime polynomials)
a prime factorization
4
: not deriving from something else : primary
primely
adverb
primeness
noun
1
: the most active, thriving, or satisfying stage or period
in the prime of his life
2
: the chief or best individual or part : pick
prime of the flock, and choicest of the stall—
Alexander Pope
Alexander Pope4
5
6
a
: the first note or tone of a musical scale : tonic
b
: the interval between two notes on the same staff degree
7
: the symbol ′ used to distinguish arbitrary characters (such as a and a′), to indicate a specific unit (such as feet or minutes of time or angular measure), or to indicate the derivative of a function (such as p′ or f′(x)) compare double prime
8
a
often capitalized
: the second of the canonical hours
b
: the first hour of the day usually considered either as 6 a.m. or the hour of sunrise
primed; priming
2
3
: to apply the first color, coating, or preparation to
prime a wall
4
a
: to put into working order by filling or charging with something
prime a pump with water
b
: to supply with an essential prerequisite (such as a hormone, nucleic acid, or antigen) for chemical or biological activity
primed female mice with estrogen
5
: to instruct beforehand : coach
primed the witness
6
: to become prime
Synonyms
Examples of prime in a Sentence
Adjective
The wine industry is of prime importance to the California economy.
The police have not yet named the prime suspect in the murder investigation.
The house is expensive because it's in a prime location.
Noun
young college graduates in the prime of life
The interest rate is two percent plus prime.
Verb
She was obviously primed for the questions at the press conference.
Both teams are primed for battle and ready to play.
We sanded and primed the woodwork before painting.
Recent Examples on the Web
Kale Williams, Axios, 19 Nov. 2024
Menu items include a roast turkey dinner served with traditional side dishes, a holiday platter with mix of roast turkey and ham or roast prime beef.
—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 12 Nov. 2024
Brian Mazique, Forbes, 19 Nov. 2024
During his prime with Milwaukee, from 2017-22, Middleton averaged an impressive 19.9 points on efficient shooting splits of .464/.386/.884, along with 5.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.1 steals while appearing in an average of 71 contests a year.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Meg Walters, Glamour, 20 Nov. 2024
The bus is primed for autonomy For years, researchers and journalists have made the case that a better bus service is a simple way to improve cities and impact millions of Americans’ lives.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prime 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
Brix Tavern The Brix Tavern offers up a traditional prix fixe menu with turkey, prime rib, a vegetable Wellington, and no shortage of sides at its three locations.
$49.95 for adults; $17.95 for kids ages 4-12; younger kids eat free.
—Kale Williams, Axios, 19 Nov. 2024
Menu items include a roast turkey dinner served with traditional side dishes, a holiday platter with mix of roast turkey and ham or roast prime beef.
—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 12 Nov. 2024
Noun
Dubois is a huge heavyweight in the prime of his career.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes, 19 Nov. 2024
During his prime with Milwaukee, from 2017-22, Middleton averaged an impressive 19.9 points on efficient shooting splits of .464/.386/.884, along with 5.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.1 steals while appearing in an average of 71 contests a year.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
Because of long-standing class politics in Britain, the country was particularly primed for the kind of coverage that emerged from Baden-Baden.
—Meg Walters, Glamour, 20 Nov. 2024
The bus is primed for autonomy For years, researchers and journalists have made the case that a better bus service is a simple way to improve cities and impact millions of Americans’ lives.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prime
Dictionary Entries Near prime
Cite this Entry
“Prime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prime. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prime
1 of 3 noun1
: the first part : the earliest stage
2
: the most vigorous, prosperous, or satisfying stage or period
in the prime of one's life
3
: the best individual or part
4
5
: the symbol ′
prime
2 of 3 adjective1
: first in time : original
2
a
: of, relating to, or being a prime number
b
: expressed as a product of prime factors
the prime factorization of 12 is 2 · 2 · 3
3
a
: first in rank or importance
our prime responsibility
b
: being highest in quality or value
prime farmland
c
: of the highest grade of meat
prime beef
prime
3 of 3 verb
primed; priming
1
: to get ready for firing by putting in priming
prime a rifle
2
: to put a first color or coating on (an unpainted surface)
3
: to put into working order by filling
prime a pump
4
: to make (someone) ready to do something
teams primed to win
Etymology
Noun
Old English prīm "a religious service for the first hour of the day," from Latin prima (hora) "first (hour)," from primus "first" — related to premier, prima donna, primeval, prince
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