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

2

: the office, rank, or preeminence of an ecclesiastical primate

Synonyms

• distinction
• dominance
• eminence
• noteworthiness
• paramountcy
• preeminence
• preponderance
• preponderancy
• prepotency
• prestigiousness
• superiority
• supremacy
• transcendence

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

These are estimates of actual costs incurred and not forecasts and offer a sobering reminder that ignoring the primacy of natural systems can have a direct financial cost on us all as well. —Saleem H. Ali, Forbes, 23 Nov. 2024

Wilson, too, anchors her views in the primacy of conscience. —Jonathan M. Pitts, Baltimore Sun, 13 Oct. 2024

Having achieved market primacy for so long, and having garnered such a rabidly devoted and demographically wide-ranging fan base, there is an overwhelming sense that there is nothing Disney can possibly do to lose its hold over the public imagination. —Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2024

Barely anyone gave him a significant chance to beat Alcaraz, who has won two Grand Slam titles in the past two months and, at 21, has achieved a level of awe-inducing primacy. —Matthew Futterman, The Athletic, 4 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English primacie, borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Medieval Latin prīmātia "office of a primate," from prīmāt-, prīmās "leading bishop in an ecclesiastical province, primate" + Latin -ia -y entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids 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