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

Stevens, a master taster and the founder of Bourbon Women, coached us through what bottles to select, how to set up the tasting experience, what foods to avoid, and even how to welcome someone a little unsure about trying Kentucky's premier spirit. —Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 24 Sep. 2024

Vision Expo West, the premier U.S. trade show for eyewear professionals, organized by the Vision Council and RX, returns to the Sands Expo Convention Center and the Venetian Resort from Wednesday through Saturday. —Thomas Waller, WWD, 18 Sep. 2024

Noun

There’s no time to rest, but that’s what has now made Jesse Collins Entertainment one of the premier go-to houses for big TV spectacles. —Michael Schneider, Variety, 16 Sep. 2024

Hotel employees also spoke excitedly about the possibility of seeing the team, and one predicted James would get the property’s premier suite. —Ben Golliver, Washington Post, 28 July 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, 6 Mar. 2024

In addition, PSBs including DR Denmark, YLE Finland, NRK Norway, SVT Sweden and VRT Belgium will premier in their territories, with RTL Netherlands and Nine Network Australia having rights in their countries. —Alex Ritman, Variety, 26 Apr. 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

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