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primacy

noun
pri·​ma·​cy | \ ˈprī-mə-sē How to pronounce primacy (audio) \

Definition of primacy

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
2 : the office, rank, or preeminence of an ecclesiastical primate
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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

 Yesterday’s story on the end of shareholder primacy drew lots of reaction, in my email and on my Twitter feed. — David Meyer, Fortune, "Feedback on the Business Roundtable Shift: CEO Daily," 20 Aug. 2019 The idea that businesses exist primarily to benefit shareholders -- also known as shareholder primacy -- took hold in corporate America in the 1980s. — Dallas News, "CEOs of eight Dallas-Fort Worth companies sign on to rethink meaning of shareholder value," 19 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'primacy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of primacy

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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More Definitions for primacy

primacy

noun
How to pronounce primacy (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of primacy

formal : the state of being most important or strongest

See the full definition for primacy in the English Language Learners Dictionary

More from Merriam-Webster on primacy

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for primacy

Britannica English: Translation of primacy for Arabic Speakers

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