# paramount

/ˈpɛɹəˌmaʊnt/ (US) · /pˈæɹəmˌaʊnt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/paramount
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. most important

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

more important than anything else.

For teachers: of the highest importance or priority; supreme.

- In this business, the safety of our workers is paramount.
- The committee agreed that maintaining the integrity of the data was paramount, even if it meant delaying the publication of the final report.

### 2. highest in rank

adjective · CEFR C2 · Formal · Literary

having the highest position or power.

For teachers: possessing supreme power or rank; pre-eminent in authority.

- The king was the paramount ruler of all the lands in the north.
- The treaty recognized the sultan as the paramount authority over the coastal territories, effectively ending decades of local tribal disputes.

### 3. a supreme leader

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Technical

a person who has the highest power or rank in a group.

For teachers: a supreme ruler or superior; specifically used for certain high-ranking traditional leaders.

- The Paramount met with the village elders to discuss the new laws.
- The installation of the new Paramount was attended by representatives from every province, signaling a period of renewed political stability.

Usage: Often used in the specific title 'Paramount Chief' in certain political or cultural contexts.

## Examples

- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.