primacy
noun
pri·ma·cy
ˈprī-mə-sē 
1
: the state of being first (as in importance, order, or rank) : preeminence
the primacy of intellectual and esthetic over materialistic values—
T. R. McConnell
T. R. McConnell2
: 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
The twin bases of the American experiment in political pluralism—the fable about the United States as a land of immigrants and the reality of unchallenged global primacy—are simultaneously crumbling.
—Pankaj Mishra, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Most Americans know his name, his primacy among blues legends, and the singular identity of his beloved hollow-body Gibson guitar named Lucille.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
Supporters, meanwhile, warned of cultural fragmentation if English lost its primacy.
—Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Arizona is the 34th state to receive primacy over its injection wells regulation program.
—Austin Corona, AZCentral.com, 15 Sep. 2025
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Pankaj Mishra, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Most Americans know his name, his primacy among blues legends, and the singular identity of his beloved hollow-body Gibson guitar named Lucille.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
Supporters, meanwhile, warned of cultural fragmentation if English lost its primacy.
—Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Arizona is the 34th state to receive primacy over its injection wells regulation program.
—Austin Corona, AZCentral.com, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for primacy
Cite this Entry
“Primacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/primacy. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
primacy
noun
pri·ma·cy
ˈprī-mə-sē
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
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