primacy
noun
pri·ma·cy
ˈprī-mə-sē 
1
: the state of being first (as in importance, order, or rank) : preeminence
the primacy of intellectual and esthetic over materialistic values—
T. R. McConnell
T. R. McConnell2
: the office, rank, or preeminence of an ecclesiastical primate
Examples of primacy in a Sentence
Civil law took primacy over religious law.
She has established primacy in her field of study.
Recent Examples on the Web
The city’s shrinkage can more accurately be attributed to two things: the ravages of the bubonic plague in the 14th century and the loss of its trade primacy once the Portuguese established a route to India.
—Hannah Edgar, ARTnews.com, 27 Feb. 2025
Money spent on the U.S. military in pursuit of global primacy is money taken from these essential tasks.
—Anatol Lieven, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025
The hostage recovery fusion cell holds primacy on these cases.
—CBS News, 22 Dec. 2024
Although some of the Westerners who engaged in lucrative business in Russia expressed concern over Putin’s unchallenged primacy in presiding over the arbitrary redistribution of property and the rapid consolidation of state ownership, the squeamish were far outnumbered by the opportunistic.
—Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
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Hannah Edgar, ARTnews.com, 27 Feb. 2025
Money spent on the U.S. military in pursuit of global primacy is money taken from these essential tasks.
—Anatol Lieven, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025
The hostage recovery fusion cell holds primacy on these cases.
—CBS News, 22 Dec. 2024
Although some of the Westerners who engaged in lucrative business in Russia expressed concern over Putin’s unchallenged primacy in presiding over the arbitrary redistribution of property and the rapid consolidation of state ownership, the squeamish were far outnumbered by the opportunistic.
—Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for primacy
Cite this Entry
“Primacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/primacy. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
primacy
noun
pri·ma·cy
ˈprī-mə-sē
plural primacies
1
: the state of being first (as in time, place, or rank)
2
: the office or dignity of a bishop of the highest rank
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