direct primary

noun

: a primary in which nominations of candidates for office are made by direct vote

Examples of direct primary in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In parallel, concierge and direct primary care practices have expanded greatly in recent years. — Robert Pearl, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026 Newman says some Georgians may turn to direct primary care — a model in which patients pay a flat monthly fee — or sliding-scale clinics, which adjust costs based on income. — Daniel Wilkerson, CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025 Nevin also successfully pushed for the department to wind down services at school health clinics, arguing, in part, that providing direct primary care isn’t a core function of public health. — Anna Clark, ProPublica, 13 Oct. 2025 La Follette led the Progressive movement, an era that introduced policies like worker's compensation and direct primary elections. — Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 1 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for direct primary

Word History

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of direct primary was in 1900

Rhymes for direct primary

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Browse Nearby Words

direct positive
direct primary
direct printing
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Cite this Entry

“Direct primary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/direct%20primary. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on direct primary

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about direct primary

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