premier
1 of 3adjective
pre·mier pri-ˈmir 
-ˈmyir,
-ˈmē-ər;
ˈprē-ˌmir -ˌmyir,
-ˌmē-ər,
ˈpre-
1
: first in position, rank, or importance
2
: first in time : earliest
premier
2 of 3noun
: prime minister
premiership
pri-ˈmir-ˌship
noun -ˈmyir-
-ˈmē-ər-;
ˈprē-ˌmir-
-ˌmyir-
-ˌmē-ər-
ˈpre-
premier
3 of 3verb
pre·mier pri-ˈmyer -ˈmir
-ˈmir -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
Synonyms
Adjective
- earliest
- first
- foremost
- headmost
- inaugural
- initial
- leadoff
- maiden
- original
- pioneer
- virgin
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adjective a space shuttle on its premier voyage the premier authority on butterflies
Recent Examples on the Web
Alex Suarez, The Arizona Republic, 5 Sep. 2022 The soldiers are part of the 1st Expeditionary Force of Niger (EFON), the country’s premier anti-terrorism unit. Kevin Maurer, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2022 Though not actually made of bologna, the masks — made in partnership with premier Korean beauty and skincare company Seoul Mamas — were designed to resemble slices of the deli meat, mimicking its instantly recognizable color. Alexandra Schonfeld, Peoplemag, 25 Aug. 2022 The World Journal, once the premier Chinese-language newspaper in the U.S., has taken a more pro-Beijing bent as a result of financial incentives and pressure. Seth D. Kaplan, WSJ, 21 Aug. 2022 Soon however, Chardonnay became the premier white wine of California, both as far as prestige and number of acres planted, while Sauvignon Blanc was forced to take a back seat. Tom Hyland, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2022 As England’s premier American rock band, the Mael brothers already had a sonically undefinable 10-album oeuvre by the time Angst in My Pants was released. Spin Staff, SPIN, 15 Aug. 2022 The request for higher education funding in the 2023-25 biennium includes a nearly $780 million increase to the Oregon Opportunity Grant and Oregon Promise, the state’s premier financial aid awards. oregonlive, 11 Aug. 2022 Today, Hatcher Pass is perhaps better known as one of Southcentral Alaska’s premier outdoor playgrounds, popular with hikers and berry pickers in the summer, and skiers in the winter. Loren Holmes, Anchorage Daily News, 9 Aug. 2022 Dave Kallmann, Journal Sentinel, 14 Sep. 2022 Travis Scott was scheduled to perform Labor Day weekend at Day N Vegas, a premier hip-hop event—and the rapper’s first appearance since the Astroworld festival tragedy last year. Anne Steele, WSJ, 4 Sep. 2022 The Mint Julep Experience is Kentucky’s premier destination management company for the Kentucky Bourbon Trail with legendary horse farms, historic Kentucky landmarks and the Commonwealth’s rich culinary scene. The Courier-Journal, 1 Sep. 2022 VTrips is a premier property management company with offices across the country. Steve Milo, Forbes, 26 Aug. 2022 This hack was shown off at Def Con, which is a conference that's a premier venue for this type of thing. WIRED, 20 Aug. 2022 Bananas Comedy Club has been a premier venue for stand-up comedy in Cincinnati for over 31 years. Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 2 Aug. 2022 This premier event is the largest fundraising event of the year for OE and features a full dinner, open bar, live and silent auction, entertainment by The Connexion Band and program hosted by Rick Urschel. Post-tribune Staff, chicagotribune.com, 11 Mar. 2022 In announcing the deal in September 2020 to buy Arm, Mr. Huang said the combination would create a premier company for advancing A.I. technology. Cecilia Kang, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2021 See More
Adjective
Flagstaff returns one of Arizona's premier high school runners in Mia Hall, who won the D-II individual title in 2021 for the second straight year. Alex Suarez, The Arizona Republic, 5 Sep. 2022 The soldiers are part of the 1st Expeditionary Force of Niger (EFON), the country’s premier anti-terrorism unit. Kevin Maurer, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2022 Though not actually made of bologna, the masks — made in partnership with premier Korean beauty and skincare company Seoul Mamas — were designed to resemble slices of the deli meat, mimicking its instantly recognizable color. Alexandra Schonfeld, Peoplemag, 25 Aug. 2022 The World Journal, once the premier Chinese-language newspaper in the U.S., has taken a more pro-Beijing bent as a result of financial incentives and pressure. Seth D. Kaplan, WSJ, 21 Aug. 2022 Soon however, Chardonnay became the premier white wine of California, both as far as prestige and number of acres planted, while Sauvignon Blanc was forced to take a back seat. Tom Hyland, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2022 As England’s premier American rock band, the Mael brothers already had a sonically undefinable 10-album oeuvre by the time Angst in My Pants was released. Spin Staff, SPIN, 15 Aug. 2022 The request for higher education funding in the 2023-25 biennium includes a nearly $780 million increase to the Oregon Opportunity Grant and Oregon Promise, the state’s premier financial aid awards. oregonlive, 11 Aug. 2022 Today, Hatcher Pass is perhaps better known as one of Southcentral Alaska’s premier outdoor playgrounds, popular with hikers and berry pickers in the summer, and skiers in the winter. Loren Holmes, Anchorage Daily News, 9 Aug. 2022 Noun
Road America will host the Xfinity Series as a weekend headliner Saturday, July 29, a consolation prize after the successful two-year run with the premier Cup Series in Elkhart Lake was not extended. Dave Kallmann, Journal Sentinel, 14 Sep. 2022 Travis Scott was scheduled to perform Labor Day weekend at Day N Vegas, a premier hip-hop event—and the rapper’s first appearance since the Astroworld festival tragedy last year. Anne Steele, WSJ, 4 Sep. 2022 The Mint Julep Experience is Kentucky’s premier destination management company for the Kentucky Bourbon Trail with legendary horse farms, historic Kentucky landmarks and the Commonwealth’s rich culinary scene. The Courier-Journal, 1 Sep. 2022 VTrips is a premier property management company with offices across the country. Steve Milo, Forbes, 26 Aug. 2022 This hack was shown off at Def Con, which is a conference that's a premier venue for this type of thing. WIRED, 20 Aug. 2022 Bananas Comedy Club has been a premier venue for stand-up comedy in Cincinnati for over 31 years. Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 2 Aug. 2022 This premier event is the largest fundraising event of the year for OE and features a full dinner, open bar, live and silent auction, entertainment by The Connexion Band and program hosted by Rick Urschel. Post-tribune Staff, chicagotribune.com, 11 Mar. 2022 In announcing the deal in September 2020 to buy Arm, Mr. Huang said the combination would create a premier company for advancing A.I. technology. Cecilia Kang, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2021 See More 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
Phrases Containing premier
Kids Definition
premier 1 of 2
adjective
pre·mier pri-ˈmir
ˈprē-mē-ər
: first in importance, excellence, or rank
premier scientists
premier
2 of 2noun
: prime minister
premier
adjective
1
as in first
coming before all others in time or order a space shuttle on its premier voyage Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- first
- inaugural
- foremost
- initial
- original
- pioneer
- earliest
- maiden
- prime
- previous
- primary
- headmost
- early
- leadoff
- ancient
- primordial
- primeval
- virgin
- preceding
- antecedent
- primitive
- primal
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- latest
- ultimate
- last
- final
- latter
- advanced
- terminal
- late
- subsequent
- following
- succeeding
- terminating
- ensuing
- consequent
- penultimate
2
as in chief
highest in rank or authority the premier authority on butterflies Synonyms & Similar Words
- chief
- foremost
- supreme
- leading
- presiding
- top
- commanding
- senior
- first
- primary
- lead
- principal
- prime
- preeminent
- high
- head
- in charge
- main
- managing
- reigning
- supereminent
- major
- predominant
- dominant
- ruling
- directing
- high-level
- officiating
- overseeing
- paramount
- superior
- supervisory
- sovereign
- controlling
- predominate
- upper
- ascendant
- topmost
- regnant
- grand
- uppermost
- ascendent
- sovran
- upmost
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- second
- secondary
- last
- subsidiary
- lesser
- ancillary
- lower
- less
- subordinate
- inferior
- junior
- lowly
- assistant
- deputy
- assisting
- under
- coadjutor
3
as in main
coming before all others in importance the premier social occasion of the summer season Synonyms & Similar Words
- main
- greatest
- highest
- primary
- foremost
- dominant
- leading
- predominant
- first
- supreme
- chief
- big
- principal
- preeminent
- central
- key
- master
- cardinal
- paramount
- capital
- great
- sovereign
- prior
- overriding
- top
- distinguished
- prestigious
- arch
- primal
- major
- outstanding
- grand
- senior
- eminent
- overbearing
- number one
- illustrious
- superior
- numero uno
- sovran
- No. 1
- stellar
- star
- notable
- renowned
- overmastering
- important
- famed
- influential
- noteworthy
- famous
- unparalleled
- signal
- incomparable
- matchless
- high-level
- celebrated
- unsurpassed
- mighty
- noble
- momentous
- significant
- unequaled
- unequalled
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- last
- least
- secondary
- minor
- subordinate
- negligible
- insignificant
- unimportant
- inferior
- slight
- trivial
- subsidiary
- collateral
- inconsequential
- inconsiderable
- trifling