primary

1 of 2

adjective

pri·ma·ry ˈprī-ˌmer-ē How to pronounce primary (audio)

ˈprī-mə-rē,

ˈprīm-rē

: first in order of time or development : primitive

the primary stage of civilization

the primary lesion of a disease

: of first rank, importance, or value : principal

the primary purpose

: basic, fundamental

security is a primary need

: of, relating to, or constituting the principal flight feathers of a bird's wing

: of or relating to agriculture, forestry, and the extractive industries or their products

: expressive of present or future time

primary tense

: of, relating to, or constituting the strongest of the three or four degrees of stress recognized by most linguists

the first syllable of basketball carries primary stress

: direct, firsthand

primary sources of information

: not derivable from other colors, odors, or tastes

: preparatory to something else in a continuing process

primary instruction

: of or relating to a primary school

primary education

: of or relating to a primary election

a primary candidate

: belonging to the first group or order in successive divisions, combinations, or ramifications

primary nerves

: directly derived from ores

primary metals

: of, relating to, or being the amino acid sequence in proteins

primary protein structure

: resulting from the substitution of one of two or more atoms or groups in a molecule

a primary amine

especially : being or characterized by a carbon atom having a bond to only one other carbon atom

: of, relating to, involving, or derived from primary meristem

primary tissue

primary growth

: of, relating to, or involved in the production of organic substances by green plants

primary productivity

: providing primary care

a primary physician

primary

2 of 2

noun

plural primaries

: something that stands first in rank, importance, or value : fundamental

—usually used in plural

: the celestial body around which one or more other celestial bodies revolve

especially : the more massive usually brighter component of a binary star system

: one of the usually 9 or 10 strong flight feathers on the distal joint of a bird's wing see wing illustration

: primary color

: the sensation of seeing primary colors

: caucus

: an election in which qualified voters nominate or express a preference for a particular candidate or group of candidates for political office, choose party officials, or select delegates for a party convention

: the coil that is connected to the source of electricity in an induction coil or transformer

called also primary coil

Example Sentences

Adjective The economy was the primary focus of the debate. The family is the primary social unit of human life. The primary function of our schools is to educate our young people. We just started our primary flight training. The book is based mainly on primary sources rather than secondary sources.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The potential windfall for homeless initiatives is a primary reason big-city Democratic mayors, such as Oakland’s Libby Schaaf, Long Beach’s Robert Garcia and Sacramento’s Darrell Steinberg, have backed Prop. 27.

David K. Li, NBC News, 8 Sep. 2022 Absent was any consensus on a new judge for the State Corporation Commission — the primary reason for the session — so lawmakers didn’t act.

Gregory S. Schneider, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2022 That, rather than a disinterest among art historians or critical arguments about figurative work versus abstraction, as the show proposes, is the primary reason that his art slipped into obscurity.

Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2022 Having a backup power generation source is typically not the primary reason that a homeowner would purchase a rooftop solar system, industry leaders say.

Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 4 Sep. 2022 Several of her colleagues in the housekeeping department quit, most citing low pay as a primary reason.

Katy Golvala, Hartford Courant, 4 Sep. 2022 The Stroud to Smith-Njigba combo was the primary reason OSU was projected to rank among the nation’s elite teams.

Nathan Baird, cleveland, 3 Sep. 2022 When asked why other gyms don't offer such programs, Wildcard director Amy Grining said insurance issues have historically been a primary reason.

Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2022 After more than two decades in Los Angeles, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne are returning home to the U.K., with gun crimes in the U.S. being a primary reason.

Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 29 Aug. 2022

Noun

The two frontrunners in the Republican primary are Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea and former CVS executive Helena Foulkes.

Alexandra Marquez, NBC News, 13 Sep. 2022 Riccitelli, who is the owner of Growing Tree Property Solutions in Exeter, R.I., faces Ashley Kalus, a businesswoman, in the Republican primary.

Brian Amaral, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Sep. 2022 Has there been any indication on which way Thiel is leaning in the Republican primary?

Daniel Strauss, The New Republic, 8 Sep. 2022 Shrodes ran in the Republican primary for clerk of the circuit court but lost to Michelle Karczeski.

Jason Fontelieu, Baltimore Sun, 6 Sep. 2022 Jarchow narrowly lost the Republican primary to Eric Toney.

Lawrence Andrea, Journal Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2022 Blanchard, who finished second to Gov. Kay Ivey in the Republican primary, withdrew from the lawsuit.

Mike Cason | Mcason@al.com, al, 30 Aug. 2022 Kelly Schultz, Hogan's preferred candidate, lost the Republican primary this summer to Dan Cox, a far-right candidate endorsed by Trump.

Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2022 Seminole Commissioner Jay Zembower was forecast to win the Republican primary on Tuesday by defeating political newcomer Brittany Walker of Lake Mary.

Martin E. Comas, Orlando Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2022 See More

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English primarye, primary "original, earliest," borrowed from Latin prīmārius "of the highest importance or station (of persons), first-rate, chief" (Late Latin, "original, lying at the beginning," Medieval Latin, "foremost, leading"), from prīmus "first, foremost, earliest, of first importance" + -ārius -ary entry 2 — more at prime entry 2

Noun

in part borrowed from Late Latin prīmārius "person leading, leader," noun derivative of Latin prīmārius "of the highest importance or station, chief, primary entry 1"; in part noun derivative of primary entry 1, or shortened from collocations with the adjective; (sense 5) shortened from primary election, earlier primary assembly, translation of French assemblée primaire

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

primary 1 of 2

adjective

pri·ma·ry ˈprī-ˌmer-ē How to pronounce primary (audio)

-mə-rē

: first in time or development

the primary grades

: most important : main

primary duties

: not made or coming from something else : basic

the primary source of information

: relating to or being the heaviest of three levels of stress in pronunciation

primary

2 of 2

noun

plural primaries

: an election in which members of a political party nominate candidates for office

Medical Definition

primary 1 of 2

adjective

pri·ma·ry ˈprī-ˌmer-ē How to pronounce primary (audio)

ˈprīm-(ə-)rē How to pronounce primary (audio)

a(1)

: first in order of time or development

(2)

: relating to or being the milk teeth and especially the 20 milk teeth in the human set

b(1)

: arising spontaneously : idiopathic

primary insomnia

the absence of any pelvic abnormality confirmed the diagnosis of primary dysmenorrhea

(2)

: being an initial tumor or site especially of cancer

efforts to find the primary tumor have failed

Raphael Feinmesser

: providing primary care

a primary physician

: not derivable from other colors, odors, or tastes

: belonging to the first group or order in successive divisions, combinations, or ramifications

primary nerves

: of, relating to, or being the amino acid sequence in proteins

primary protein structure

compare secondary sense 3, tertiary entry 2 sense 2c

: resulting from the substitution of one of two or more atoms or groups in a molecule

especially : being or characterized by a carbon atom having a bond to only one other carbon atom

primary

2 of 2

noun

plural primaries

: primary color

Legal Definition

primary 1 of 2

adjective

pri·ma·ry ˈprī-ˌmer-ē, -mə-rē How to pronounce primary (audio)

: of first rank, value, or importance

: belonging to the first group or order in successive divisions, combinations, or ramifications

primary

2 of 2

noun

plural primaries

: caucus

单词	primary
释义	primary 1 of 2 adjective pri·ma·ry ˈprī-ˌmer-ē ˈprī-mə-rē, ˈprīm-rē 1 : first in order of time or development : primitive the primary stage of civilization the primary lesion of a disease 2 a : of first rank, importance, or value : principal the primary purpose b : basic, fundamental security is a primary need c : of, relating to, or constituting the principal flight feathers of a bird's wing d : of or relating to agriculture, forestry, and the extractive industries or their products e : expressive of present or future time primary tense f : of, relating to, or constituting the strongest of the three or four degrees of stress recognized by most linguists the first syllable of basketball carries primary stress 3 a : direct, firsthand primary sources of information b : not derivable from other colors, odors, or tastes c : preparatory to something else in a continuing process primary instruction d : of or relating to a primary school primary education e : of or relating to a primary election a primary candidate f : belonging to the first group or order in successive divisions, combinations, or ramifications primary nerves g : directly derived from ores primary metals h : of, relating to, or being the amino acid sequence in proteins primary protein structure 4 : resulting from the substitution of one of two or more atoms or groups in a molecule a primary amine especially : being or characterized by a carbon atom having a bond to only one other carbon atom 5 : of, relating to, involving, or derived from primary meristem primary tissue primary growth 6 : of, relating to, or involved in the production of organic substances by green plants primary productivity 7 : providing primary care a primary physician primary 2 of 2 noun plural primaries 1 : something that stands first in rank, importance, or value : fundamental —usually used in plural 2 : the celestial body around which one or more other celestial bodies revolve especially : the more massive usually brighter component of a binary star system 3 : one of the usually 9 or 10 strong flight feathers on the distal joint of a bird's wing see wing illustration 4 a : primary color b : the sensation of seeing primary colors 5 a : caucus b : an election in which qualified voters nominate or express a preference for a particular candidate or group of candidates for political office, choose party officials, or select delegates for a party convention 6 : the coil that is connected to the source of electricity in an induction coil or transformer called also primary coil Synonyms Adjective arch big capital cardinal central chief dominant first foremost grand great greatest highest key leading main master number one No. 1 numero uno overbearing overmastering overriding paramount predominant preeminent premier primal principal prior sovereign sovran supreme See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Adjective The economy was the primary focus of the debate. The family is the primary social unit of human life. The primary function of our schools is to educate our young people. We just started our primary flight training. The book is based mainly on primary sources rather than secondary sources. Recent Examples on the Web Adjective The potential windfall for homeless initiatives is a primary reason big-city Democratic mayors, such as Oakland’s Libby Schaaf, Long Beach’s Robert Garcia and Sacramento’s Darrell Steinberg, have backed Prop. 27. David K. Li, NBC News, 8 Sep. 2022 Absent was any consensus on a new judge for the State Corporation Commission — the primary reason for the session — so lawmakers didn’t act. Gregory S. Schneider, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2022 That, rather than a disinterest among art historians or critical arguments about figurative work versus abstraction, as the show proposes, is the primary reason that his art slipped into obscurity. Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2022 Having a backup power generation source is typically not the primary reason that a homeowner would purchase a rooftop solar system, industry leaders say. Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 4 Sep. 2022 Several of her colleagues in the housekeeping department quit, most citing low pay as a primary reason. Katy Golvala, Hartford Courant, 4 Sep. 2022 The Stroud to Smith-Njigba combo was the primary reason OSU was projected to rank among the nation’s elite teams. Nathan Baird, cleveland, 3 Sep. 2022 When asked why other gyms don't offer such programs, Wildcard director Amy Grining said insurance issues have historically been a primary reason. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2022 After more than two decades in Los Angeles, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne are returning home to the U.K., with gun crimes in the U.S. being a primary reason. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 29 Aug. 2022 Noun The two frontrunners in the Republican primary are Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea and former CVS executive Helena Foulkes. Alexandra Marquez, NBC News, 13 Sep. 2022 Riccitelli, who is the owner of Growing Tree Property Solutions in Exeter, R.I., faces Ashley Kalus, a businesswoman, in the Republican primary. Brian Amaral, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Sep. 2022 Has there been any indication on which way Thiel is leaning in the Republican primary? Daniel Strauss, The New Republic, 8 Sep. 2022 Shrodes ran in the Republican primary for clerk of the circuit court but lost to Michelle Karczeski. Jason Fontelieu, Baltimore Sun, 6 Sep. 2022 Jarchow narrowly lost the Republican primary to Eric Toney. Lawrence Andrea, Journal Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2022 Blanchard, who finished second to Gov. Kay Ivey in the Republican primary, withdrew from the lawsuit. Mike Cason \| Mcason@al.com, al, 30 Aug. 2022 Kelly Schultz, Hogan's preferred candidate, lost the Republican primary this summer to Dan Cox, a far-right candidate endorsed by Trump. Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2022 Seminole Commissioner Jay Zembower was forecast to win the Republican primary on Tuesday by defeating political newcomer Brittany Walker of Lake Mary. Martin E. Comas, Orlando Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2022 See More Word History Etymology Adjective Middle English primarye, primary "original, earliest," borrowed from Latin prīmārius "of the highest importance or station (of persons), first-rate, chief" (Late Latin, "original, lying at the beginning," Medieval Latin, "foremost, leading"), from prīmus "first, foremost, earliest, of first importance" + -ārius -ary entry 2 — more at prime entry 2 Noun in part borrowed from Late Latin prīmārius "person leading, leader," noun derivative of Latin prīmārius "of the highest importance or station, chief, primary entry 1"; in part noun derivative of primary entry 1, or shortened from collocations with the adjective; (sense 5) shortened from primary election, earlier primary assembly, translation of French assemblée primaire First Known Use Adjective 15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Noun 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Phrases Containing primary direct primary primary atypical pneumonia primary cell primary color primary wall primary tooth primary care primary school primary syphilis primary root primary meristem pre-primary See More direct primary primary atypical pneumonia primary cell primary color primary wall primary tooth primary care primary school primary syphilis primary root primary meristem pre-primary See More Kids Definition primary 1 of 2 adjective pri·ma·ry ˈprī-ˌmer-ē -mə-rē 1 : first in time or development the primary grades 2 : most important : main primary duties 3 : not made or coming from something else : basic the primary source of information 4 : relating to or being the heaviest of three levels of stress in pronunciation primary 2 of 2 noun plural primaries : an election in which members of a political party nominate candidates for office Medical Definition primary 1 of 2 adjective pri·ma·ry ˈprī-ˌmer-ē ˈprīm-(ə-)rē 1 a(1) : first in order of time or development (2) : relating to or being the milk teeth and especially the 20 milk teeth in the human set b(1) : arising spontaneously : idiopathic primary insomnia the absence of any pelvic abnormality confirmed the diagnosis of primary dysmenorrhea (2) : being an initial tumor or site especially of cancer efforts to find the primary tumor have failed Raphael Feinmesser c : providing primary care a primary physician 2 : not derivable from other colors, odors, or tastes 3 : belonging to the first group or order in successive divisions, combinations, or ramifications primary nerves 4 : of, relating to, or being the amino acid sequence in proteins primary protein structure compare secondary sense 3, tertiary entry 2 sense 2c 5 : resulting from the substitution of one of two or more atoms or groups in a molecule especially : being or characterized by a carbon atom having a bond to only one other carbon atom primary 2 of 2 noun plural primaries : primary color Legal Definition primary 1 of 2 adjective pri·ma·ry ˈprī-ˌmer-ē, -mə-rē 1 : of first rank, value, or importance 2 : belonging to the first group or order in successive divisions, combinations, or ramifications primary 2 of 2 noun plural primaries 1 : caucus 2 : an election in which qualified voters nominate or express a preference for a particular candidate or group of candidates for political office, choose party officials, or select delegates for a party convention primary adjective 1 as in main coming before all others in importance the primary concern for many house hunters is the asking price Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance main predominant greatest highest dominant foremost first principal leading key big chief central supreme paramount cardinal overriding prior master premier great capital primal major preeminent sovereign top arch number one distinguished overbearing important outstanding overmastering grand notable senior signal sovran noteworthy eminent stellar No. 1 illustrious numero uno prestigious superior star influential significant noble high-level momentous matchless incomparable unparalleled mighty famous renowned famed celebrated unequaled unsurpassed unequalled Antonyms & Near Antonyms last least secondary minor unimportant negligible trivial insignificant slight subordinate collateral inferior inconsequential inconsiderable trifling subsidiary See More 2 as in immediate done or working without something else coming in between a crop failure that was the primary cause of the famine Synonyms & Similar Words immediate direct empirical clinical empiric unmediated firsthand proximate efficient hands-on Antonyms & Near Antonyms indirect secondhand 3 as in chief highest in rank or authority the movie's primary screenwriter Synonyms & Similar Words chief foremost presiding principal supreme commanding top first leading lead senior prime high main head premier preeminent in charge predominant major managing supereminent predominate dominant supervisory reigning directing ruling paramount controlling upper high-level officiating overseeing sovereign topmost uppermost superior ascendant regnant grand upmost ascendent sovran Antonyms & Near Antonyms secondary second last lower less lesser ancillary subordinate subsidiary inferior lowly assistant junior assisting under deputy coadjutor See More 4 as in preliminary coming before the main part or item usually to introduce or prepare for what follows a few minutes of primary instruction in the use of our diving gear before we actually got into the water Synonyms & Similar Words preliminary preparatory introductory basic fundamental precursory elementary preparative prelusive previous beginning prefatory prelim preparing preceding introducing warning early readying ahead prefacing former prior premonitory Antonyms & Near Antonyms subsequent following after behind
随便看	tion-ad tion-grab tion-re tioned Tionontati tionontatis Tiou tious tioux tip tip (off) tip (someone) the wink tip and run tip blight tip cheese tip cutting tip layerage tip layering tip moth tip of the iceberg tip off tip one's cap tip one's cap/hat tip one's hand tip one's hat

primary

adjective

noun

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing primary

Kids Definition

adjective

noun

Medical Definition

adjective

noun

Legal Definition

adjective

noun

adjective