premier

1 of 3

adjective

pre·​mier pri-ˈmir How to pronounce premier (audio)
-ˈmyir, 
-ˈmē-ər;
ˈprē-ˌmir How to pronounce premier (audio)
-ˌmyir, 
-ˌmē-ər, 
ˈpre-
Synonyms of premier
1
: first in position, rank, or importance
the city's premier restaurant
2
: first in time : earliest

premier

2 of 3

noun

: prime minister
premiership
pri-ˈmir-ˌship How to pronounce premier (audio)
-ˈmyir-, 
-ˈmē-ər-;
ˈprē-ˌmir-, 
-ˌmyir-, 
-ˌmē-ər-, 
ˈpre-
noun

premier

3 of 3

verb

pre·​mier

less common spelling of premiere entry 2

intransitive verb

1
: to have a first public performance
The movie/play will premiere next week.
2
: to appear for the first time as a star performer
He premiered in the title role on Broadway.

transitive verb

: to give a first public performance of
The movie was premiered at the film festival.

Synonyms of premier

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Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of premier in a Sentence

Adjective a space shuttle on its premier voyage the premier authority on butterflies
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
This upcoming week, thousands of industry experts descend on Las Vegas for Black Hat, one of the premier cybersecurity events of the year. — Samantha Subin, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2026 However, Miami faced one of the premier offensive players in the league in Boston’s Jeremy Pargo, another MVP candidate. — Ava Dicecca, Sun Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2026
Noun
In 2024, the premier of British Columbia appointed Daniel Vigo, a psychiatrist and public-health researcher, as the province’s chief scientific adviser on toxic drugs. — Michael Powell, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026 Wisfe Aish, philanthropist and CEO/Founder, Double AA Corporation, a premier fuel provider for California and beyond for over two decades. — Wisfe Aish, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Verb
However, it is expected to premier in the fall of 2026. — Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025 Slated to premier in 2026, Bachelor Mansion Takeover enlists 12 former Bachelor, Bachelorette, Golden Bachelor and Golden Bachelorette contestants to help transform the series' iconic California property — and PEOPLE got an exclusive first look at the cast list! — Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for premier

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English primer, primier "first in time, first in rank, foremost," borrowed from Anglo-French primer, premer, premyer "first, earliest, most important" (continental Old & Middle French primier, premier), going back to Latin prīmārius "of the highest importance or station (of persons), first-rate, chief" — more at primary entry 1

Note: Since its adoption in late Middle English, this word has shown influence in both pronunciation and spelling from Middle French and French premier.

Noun

short for premier minister, after French premier ministre "first minister"

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1707, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of premier was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing premier

Rhymes for premier

See All Rhymes for premier

Browse Nearby Words

premie
premier
premier danseur
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Premier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/premier. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

premier

1 of 2 adjective
pre·​mier pri-ˈm(y)i(ə)r How to pronounce premier (audio) ˈprē-mē-ər How to pronounce premier (audio)
ˈprem-ē-
1
: first in position, rank, or importance : principal
2
: first in time : earliest

premier

2 of 2 noun
: the chief minister of government : prime minister
premiership
-ˌship How to pronounce premier (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on premier

Nglish: Translation of premier for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about premier

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