premier

1 of 4

adjective

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 4

noun (1)

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

premier

3 of 4

verb

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.
: the position or office of a premier

Examples of premier in a Sentence

Adjective a space shuttle on its premier voyage the premier authority on butterflies
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
Since then, his directorial work has screened at such premier genre festivals as Fantastic Fest and Fantasia. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 29 June 2026 The institution has grown into one of the region’s premier history museums, featuring historic homes, gardens, archives and exhibitions. Kaitlyn Harvey, AJC.com, 1 July 2026
Noun
Golden State added one of the WNBA’s premier defenders and most versatile players. Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 2 July 2026 Develop the world's premier cyber workforce through education, research and stronger public-private partnerships. Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Verb
Wana Brands, a leader in edibles and other products, premier a hemp line. Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2025 However, it is expected to premier in the fall of 2026. Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for premier

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun (2)

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"

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"

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

1707, 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 7 Jul. 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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