premier

1 of 3

adjective

pre·​mier pri-ˈmir How to pronounce premier (audio)
-ˈmyir,
-ˈmē-ər;
ˈprē-ˌmir How to pronounce premier (audio)
-ˌmyir,
-ˌmē-ər,
ˈpre-
1
: first in position, rank, or importance
2
: first in time : earliest

premier

2 of 3

noun

premiership
pri-ˈmir-ˌship How to pronounce premier (audio)
-ˈmyir-
-ˈmē-ər-;
ˈprē-ˌmir-
-ˌmyir-
-ˌmē-ər-
ˈpre-
noun

premier

3 of 3

verb

pre·​mier pri-ˈmyer How to pronounce premier (audio) -ˈmir How to pronounce premier (audio)
-ˈmē-ər;
ˌpri-mē-ˈer

less common spelling of premiere entry 2

intransitive verb

1
: to have a first public performance
2
: to appear for the first time as a star performer

transitive verb

: to give a first public performance of

Examples of premier in a Sentence

Adjective a space shuttle on its premier voyage the premier authority on butterflies
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Bowers, a two-time Mackey Award winner, is one of the most well-rounded tight end prospects to ever enter the league, and could develop into a premier chess piece with All-Pro potential. Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2024 One of the standout features of Magnolia’s premier location is its top-tier school district. Bang Advertising Staff and Correspondents, The Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2024 Completed circa 2010 and designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects, The Century has been Century City’s premier residential skyscraper since its completion. Jmcclain, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 2024 For example, Ignition is a premier option for poker players. Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2024 This year, his schedule includes delivering a rare address before the Australian Parliament as well as the keynote speech at Asia’s premier defense summit, the Shangri-La Dialogue, in Singapore. Regine Cabato, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024 The 19-year-old from Murcia is regarded as a generational talent, with many observers drawing comparisons to Márquez, who famously clinched the 2013 world title aged just 20, in his rookie year, becoming the youngest ever premier class champion. Jonathan Hawkins, CNN, 9 Mar. 2024 Last month, the country’s premier film festival, Berlinale, turned into an anti-Israel hate festival, according to Israel’s government and a number of German newspapers. Benjamin Weinthal, Fox News, 9 Mar. 2024 The appeal to prestige rock’s premier empath worked: The footage from that consequential 13-minute meet-up is fascinating. Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2024
Noun
In Los Angeles, Diarra Kilpatrick’s Diarra From Detroit premier brought out all the celebs—from Yvonne Orji to Kenya Barris. Okla Jones, Essence, 23 Mar. 2024 Followers sent him photos of the flowers and notes left in tribute to the late premier in public spaces across the country. Nectar Gan, CNN, 18 Mar. 2024 One of our graduates, Steven Miles, was just elected premier of Queensland in Australia. USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2024 Last year’s bailout was signed by Sharif, who replaced former premier Imran Khan after a no-confidence vote in parliament. Munir Ahmed, Quartz, 14 Mar. 2024 For the most part, the premiers used the venue to take questions from the international media and to talk about economic and foreign policies. Li Yuan, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2024 The premier also spoke of repairing ties with the United States. Munir Ahmed, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2024 Here are the major takeaways from the gathering: Tightening control The closing day of the National People’s Congress legislature on Monday was missing a key event – a press conference conducted by the Chinese premier. Simone McCarthy, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024 In a rare move, a judge subpoenaed two jurors who expressed some misgivings after a Miami federal jury voted unanimously to convict former British Virgin Islands premier Andrew Fahie of drug trafficking a month ago. Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024
Verb
In addition to the day trips from New York City's Penn Station to Albany, this year will premier two new offerings, including overnight itineraries between Chicago and New York. Hannah Towey, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Mar. 2024 The Orville: New Horizons will premier on June 2, 2022, on Hulu. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 4 Feb. 2022 This Pitti will premier Cabourn’s new work with Brit-brand Sunspel. Tom Stubbs, Vogue, 13 June 2023 Following theatrical releases, the film will premier exclusively on MUBI in all territories acquired. Manori Ravindran, Variety, 27 Apr. 2023 These segments will premier on Facebook and YouTube at 6pm ET on Wednesday, April 28. Kirk Wakefield, Forbes, 26 Apr. 2021 The Cleveland Playhouse is poised to premier its latest rendition of its Compassionate Arts Remaking Education (CARE) program, this time on a national stage. Brenda Cain, cleveland, 5 July 2022 Peacock was eager to premier the show in October, leading the production team to simultaneously work on shooting, prepping future episodes and editing filmed episodes. Dan Lambert, chicagotribune.com, 4 Oct. 2021 According to Deadline, the show has resumed production for the fall season, slated to premier next month. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 21 Aug. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'premier.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English primer, primier "first in time, first in rank, foremost," borrowed from Anglo-French primer, premer, premyer "first, earliest, most important" (continental Old & Middle French primier, premier), going back to Latin prīmārius "of the highest importance or station (of persons), first-rate, chief" — more at primary entry 1

Note: Since its adoption in late Middle English, this word has shown influence in both pronunciation and spelling from Middle French and French premier.

Noun

short for premier minister, after French premier ministre "first minister"

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1707, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of premier was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near premier

Cite this Entry

“Premier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/premier. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

premier

1 of 2 adjective
pre·​mier pri-ˈm(y)i(ə)r How to pronounce premier (audio) ˈprē-mē-ər How to pronounce premier (audio)
ˈprem-ē-
1
: first in position, rank, or importance : principal
2
: first in time : earliest

premier

2 of 2 noun
: the chief minister of government : prime minister
premiership noun

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