premier

1 of 6

adjective (1)

pre·​mier pri-ˈmir How to pronounce premier (audio)
-ˈmyir, 
-ˈmē-ər;
ˈprē-ˌmir How to pronounce premier (audio)
-ˌmyir, 
-ˌmē-ər, 
ˈpre-
Synonyms of premier
1
: first in position, rank, or importance
the city's premier restaurant
2
: first in time : earliest

premier

2 of 6

noun (1)

premiership
pri-ˈmir-ˌship How to pronounce premier (audio)
-ˈmyir-, 
-ˈmē-ər-;
ˈprē-ˌmir-, 
-ˌmyir-, 
-ˌmē-ər-, 
ˈpre-
noun

premier

3 of 6

verb (1)

pre·​mier

less common spelling of premiere entry 2

intransitive verb

1
: to have a first public performance
The movie/play will premiere next week.
2
: to appear for the first time as a star performer
He premiered in the title role on Broadway.

transitive verb

: to give a first public performance of
The movie was premiered at the film festival.
variants or less commonly première
plural premieres also premières
1
: a first performance or exhibition
the premiere of a play
the show's premiere episode
2
: the chief actress of a theatrical cast
variants or less commonly première or premier
premiered also premièred; premiering also premièring

intransitive verb

1
: to have a first public performance
The movie/play will premiere next week.
2
: to appear for the first time as a star performer
He premiered in the title role on Broadway.

transitive verb

: to give a first public performance of
The movie was premiered at the film festival.
: premier
In addition to the sporting events, Lillehammer also offers one of Norway's premiere cultural sites in the Maihaugen Open Air Museum …—William E. Schmidt

Examples of premier in a Sentence

Adjective (1) a space shuttle on its premier voyage the premier authority on butterflies Noun (2) The movie will have its premiere next week. Verb (2) The movie premieres next week.
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.
Adjective
Rev the Runway is a premier charity fashion and luxury car event benefitting National Jewish Health. — Libby Smith, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 Six of the premier teams are taking center stage, and BetMGM wants you to get involved in the action with promo code FOXNEWS, offering $1,500 in bonus bets if your first wager loses. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Noun
Despite Hamilton having lived only the early part of his childhood in Nevis, the premier believes his legacy is inspiring. — ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026 The Eagles’ premier wins include a 70-37 non-district win over Highland Park and a 45-28 district win over Lucas Lovejoy. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
In 1991, he was tapped to manage the economy as a vice premier and was promoted to premier seven years later. — Cnn Staff, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026 However, it is expected to premier in the fall of 2026. — Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
Noun
Janus Films has acquired all rights in North America and the UK/Ireland to Alfonso Cuarón’s classic fourth feature, Y Tu Mamá También, which has been restored in 4K to mark the 25th anniversary of its premiere. — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 26 Oct. 2026 Tokyo’s Competition requires at least an Asian premiere, but the festival pushes for world premieres, and the split between the two usually lands at around half and half. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Oct. 2026
Verb
In a video premiered on Monday, Cardi took over Tiny Desk and brought an eight-song masterclass in breath control, joy, and showmanship. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2026 The comedy legend was 60 when the movie premiered and is now 100 years old. — Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Production is underway on the series, with premiere date and distribution plans still being finalized. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026 The premiere episode, featuring Amanda Kloots, is available now across all major podcast platforms. — Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for premier

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

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 (1)

short for premier minister, after French premier ministre "first minister"

Noun (2)

(sense 1) borrowed from French première, short for première représentation "first performance"; (sense 2) probably noun derivative of premiere entry 3

Verb (2)

verb derivative of premiere entry 1

Adjective (2)

alteration of premier entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

1707, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1889, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1927, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Adjective (2)

1768, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of premier was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Premier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/premier. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

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

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