Word
preeminent
Phoneticspre·em·i·nent, stress on the second syllable
US/pɹiˈɛmənənt/
UK/pɹiːˈɛmɪnənt/
Definition
adj. the most important, successful, or respected in a particular field. You use this to describe someone or something that is at the very top of their group.
adj. holding the highest rank, position, or authority; most prominent or distinguished. Often used to describe a person's standing in a professional or academic field.
Examples
“She is a preeminent expert in her field.”
“The university is a preeminent center for medical research, attracting top scientists from around the world.”
“While many competitors entered the market, the firm remained the preeminent authority on digital privacy, setting the standards that others eventually followed.”
Examples
simple
“She is a preeminent expert in her field.”
contextual
“The university is a preeminent center for medical research, attracting top scientists from around the world.”
complex
“While many competitors entered the market, the firm remained the preeminent authority on digital privacy, setting the standards that others eventually followed.”
Real-World Examples
“The nation’s preeminent public university, the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo, has offered Creole courses at its main campus in the nation’s capital for more than a decade.” “The exhibition's building committee, including preeminent engineers of the day like Robert Stephenson and Isambard Kingdom Brunel , even had a go - but were turned down.” “The samurai were a preeminent class defending Japan for centuries.” Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French preeminent and its source, Latin praeēminēns, present participle of praeēmineō (“to stand out, excel”), from prae- (“pre-”) + ēmineō.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/preeminent