primary

B2 · Upper Intermediate Academic

adj. happening first in a process or series of events.

adj. earliest in time or order of development.

Español:primario

“The researchers looked at the primary causes of the problem.”

“The primary stage of the geological survey focused on identifying mineral deposits near the surface.”

A2 · Elementary

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

adj. relating to or denoting the first stage of formal education.

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

“The government announced a significant increase in funding for primary education to improve literacy rates among young children.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Politics American English

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

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

Español:primarias

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

“Voter turnout during the state primary was unexpectedly high, suggesting a shift in the political landscape before the general election.”

C1 · Advanced Politics American English · Informal

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

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

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

“The incumbent representative faced a difficult campaign after a more radical member of the party decided to primary her.”

C1 · Advanced Medicine Technical

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

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

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

“Primary healthcare providers serve as the first point of contact within the medical system for most patients.”