premier

1 of 3

adjective

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 3

noun

: prime minister

premiership

pri-ˈmir-ˌship 

-ˈmyir-

-ˈmē-ər-;

ˈprē-ˌmir-

-ˌmyir-

-ˌmē-ər-

ˈpre-

noun

premier

3 of 3

verb

pre·​mier pri-ˈmyer  -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

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

Witkoff is a market leader in the ownership and development of premier residential, hospitality, office, retail, and mixed-use properties in top tier cities across the United States and abroad. —Carrie Coolidge, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025

The Celtics are one of the two premier franchises in the NBA so keeping them at the top of the league is paramount to the success of this new ownership group. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025

Noun

Carney said the premiers of Canada’s provinces had agreed to work on a plan to develop a national trade and energy corridor in an effort to diversify trade. —Rob Gillies, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2025

Delays got in the way, however, pushing the premier to 2026 at the very earliest. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025

Verb

Wana Brands, a leader in edibles and other products, premier a hemp line. —Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2025

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, 6 Mar. 2024

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

• premier danseur

Rhymes for premier

• adhere
• ameer
• amir
• appear
• arrear
• astir
• austere
• career
• cashier
• cohere
• compere
• emir

Kids Definition

premier

1 of 2 adjective

pre·​mier pri-ˈm(y)i(ə)r  ˈprē-mē-ər 

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

-ˌship 

noun