paramount
adj. C1 Advanced US //ˈpɛɹəˌmaʊnt// UK //pˈæɹəmˌaʊnt// para·mount
adj. more important than anything else. You use this when you want to say that one specific thing must come first.
adj. superior to all others in influence, power, or importance. Often follows a linking verb or precedes a noun to indicate a primary concern.
Safety is paramount in this factory.
The health of the patients is paramount, so the hospital staff follows strict cleaning rules every day.
In any successful diplomatic negotiation, maintaining a channel of honest communication is paramount, even when the parties disagree on every other substantive point of the treaty.
Usage
Often used in the phrase 'of paramount importance'. Typically functions as a predicative adjective following 'is' or 'remains'.