primate

noun

pri·​mate
ˈprī-ˌmāt
or especially for sense 1
-mət How to pronounce primate (audio)
1
often Primate : a bishop who has precedence in a province, a group of provinces, or a nation
2
archaic : one first in authority or rank : leader
3
: any of an order (Primates) of mammals that are characterized especially by advanced development of binocular vision resulting in stereoscopic depth perception, specialization of the hands and feet for grasping, and enlargement of the cerebral hemispheres and that include humans, apes, monkeys, and related forms (such as lemurs and tarsiers)
primateship
ˈprī-ˌmāt-ˌship How to pronounce primate (audio)
noun
primatial
prī-ˈmā-shəl How to pronounce primate (audio)
adjective

Examples of primate in a Sentence

the Primate of England and Wales
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.
Jackson Ole Sapit has served as the sixth archbishop and primate of the church since 2016. — Stephanie Triplettall, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026 The findings suggested that food—or perhaps foraging—drove increases in brain size in primates, rather than complex social interactions, another leading theory. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 6 Aug. 2026 In a 40-day period, researchers documented more than 40,000 animals – including elephants, primates, and big cats – using a single such underpass, which extended their feeding and breeding range while reducing potential conflict with humans. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 6 Aug. 2026 Primates napping next to another animal or playing with them offers no readily apparent rewards—suggesting that this innate curiosity and friendliness is more deeply ingrained in humanity’s evolutionary journey. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for primate

Word History

Etymology

Middle English primat, primate, borrowed from Anglo-French primat, primas, borrowed from Late Latin prīmāt-, prīmās "chief, superior, chief bishop," noun derivative of Latin prīmāt-, prīmās "of the highest rank, noble," from prīmus "first, foremost" + -āt-, -ās, adjective-forming suffix, originally from place names; (sense 3) after New Latin Primates (order name introduced by linnaeus), plural of Latin prīmās — more at prime entry 1

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of primate was in the 13th century

Rhymes for primate

See All Rhymes for primate

Browse Nearby Words

primary xylem
primate
primateship
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Primate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/primate. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

primate

noun
pri·​mate ˈprī-ˌmāt How to pronounce primate (audio)
or especially for 1 -mət
1
: a bishop or archbishop of the highest rank in a district, nation, or church
2
: any of an order of mammals that are characterized by hands and feet that grasp, a relatively large complex brain, and vision in which objects are seen in three dimensions and that includes human beings, apes, monkeys, and related forms (as lemurs and tarsiers)

Medical Definition

primate

noun
pri·​mate ˈprī-ˌmāt How to pronounce primate (audio)
: any mammal of the order Primates

More from Merriam-Webster on primate

Nglish: Translation of primate for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about primate

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