What does "primary" mean?

1. (most important) the most important or main thing in a situation. 2. (first in a series) happening first in a process or series of events. 3. (early education) relating to the education of children between the ages of about five and eleven. 4. (political election) an election where people choose which person will represent a political party in a later election. 5. (to challenge a politician) to run against a politician from your own party to try to take their place. 6. (medical source) describing the place where a disease or health problem first started.

primary

adj. · n. · v.

US //ˈpɹaɪˌmɛɹi// UK //pɹˈaɪməɹi// pri·ma·ry

1 most important (adj.)
B1 Intermediate General-service

the most important or main thing in a situation.

of chief importance; principal or main.

Example

Our primary goal is to finish the project before the deadline.

Example

The primary concern for the board of directors was the long-term sustainability of the new environmental policy.
- secondary
- minor
2 first in a series (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

happening first in a process or series of events.

earliest in time or order of development.

Example

The researchers looked at the primary causes of the problem.

Example

The primary stage of the geological survey focused on identifying mineral deposits near the surface.
- final
- ultimate

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3 early education (adj.)
A2 Elementary

relating to the education of children between the ages of about five and eleven.

relating to or denoting the first stage of formal education.

Example

She has been a primary school teacher for over ten years.

Example

The government announced a significant increase in funding for primary education to improve literacy rates among young children.
- elementary
- secondary
- tertiary
4 political election (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate American English Politics

an election where people choose which person will represent a political party in a later election.

a preliminary election to appoint delegates or a candidate for a principal election.

Example

The senator won the primary and will run for president in November.

Example

Voter turnout during the state primary was unexpectedly high, suggesting a shift in the political landscape before the general election.
- preliminary
5 to challenge a politician (v.)
C1 Advanced American English Informal Politics

to run against a politician from your own party to try to take their place.

to challenge an incumbent for their party's nomination in a primary election.

Example

The local leader was worried that a younger candidate might primary him.

Example

The incumbent representative faced a difficult campaign after a more radical member of the party decided to primary her.
- challenge
6 medical source (adj.)
C1 Advanced Technical Medicine

describing the place where a disease or health problem first started.

relating to the initial site of a disease or the first stage of medical care.

Example

The doctor identified the primary tumor in the patient's lung.

Example

Primary healthcare providers serve as the first point of contact within the medical system for most patients.
- original
- initial
- secondary
- metastatic

Origin

Borrowed from Latin prīmārius (“of the first (rank); chief, principal; excellent”), from prīmus (first; whence the English adjective prime) + -ārius (whence the English suffix -ary); compare the French primaire, primer, and premier. Doublet of premier.

Word family

Adjectiveprimary
Adverbprimarily