primary

adjective

pri·ma·ry | \ ˈprī-ˌmer-ē

, ˈprī-mə-rē, ˈprīm-rē

Definition of primary

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : first in order of time or development : primitive the primary stage of civilization the primary lesion of a disease

2a : of first rank, importance, or value : principal the primary purpose

b : basic, fundamental security is a primary need

c : of, relating to, or constituting the principal flight feathers of a bird's wing

d : of or relating to agriculture, forestry, and the extractive industries or their products

e : expressive of present or future time primary tense

f : of, relating to, or constituting the strongest of the three or four degrees of stress recognized by most linguists the first syllable of basketball carries primary stress

3a : direct, firsthand primary sources of information

b : not derivable from other colors, odors, or tastes

c : preparatory to something else in a continuing process primary instruction

d : of or relating to a primary school primary education

e : of or relating to a primary election a primary candidate

f : belonging to the first group or order in successive divisions, combinations, or ramifications primary nerves

g : directly derived from ores primary metals

h : of, relating to, or being the amino acid sequence in proteins primary protein structure

4 : resulting from the substitution of one of two or more atoms or groups in a molecule a primary amine especially : being or characterized by a carbon atom having a bond to only one other carbon atom

5 : of, relating to, involving, or derived from primary meristem primary tissue primary growth

6 : of, relating to, or involved in the production of organic substances by green plants primary productivity

7 : providing primary care a primary physician

primary

noun

plural primaries

Definition of primary (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : something that stands first in rank, importance, or value : fundamental —usually used in plural

2 : the celestial body around which one or more other celestial bodies revolve especially : the more massive usually brighter component of a binary star system

3 : one of the usually 9 or 10 strong flight feathers on the distal joint of a bird's wing — see wing illustration

4a : primary color

b : the sensation of seeing primary colors

5a : caucus

b : an election in which qualified voters nominate or express a preference for a particular candidate or group of candidates for political office, choose party officials, or select delegates for a party convention

6 : the coil that is connected to the source of electricity in an induction coil or transformer

— called also primary coil

Other Words from primary Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about primary

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Examples of primary in a Sentence

Adjective

The economy was the primary focus of the debate. The family is the primary social unit of human life. The primary function of our schools is to educate our young people. We just started our primary flight training. The book is based mainly on primary sources rather than secondary sources.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

In the poll democratic socialist Sanders garners 26% support from likely Colorado Dem primary voters. — Jon Caldara, The Denver Post, "Caldara: Let’s take a deeper look behind Hickenlooper’s poll numbers," 23 Aug. 2019 Boylan is convinced her cyst and reactions to medicine to treat the symptoms caused by it were the primary sources of her illness. — David Armstrong, ProPublica, "In Men, It’s Parkinson’s. In Women, It’s Hysteria.," 23 Aug. 2019 At the federal level, the 2020 budget proposes eliminating the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the primary source of federal support for US libraries. — Leeza Garber, WIRED, "Shh! No Hacking the Census in the Library," 22 Aug. 2019 That’s way of out sync with what many primary voters feel. — Los Angeles Times, "Column: Biden should embrace his gaffes and move on," 21 Aug. 2019 There are three primary access points, with rental kayaks and SUPS available at most. — Tom Stienstra, SFChronicle.com, "5 spots to beat the heat in Sacramento," 21 Aug. 2019 What is the primary source of funding for the Grammy Museum? — Karen Bliss, Billboard, "Inside the Grammy Museum's Latest Music Preservation Initiatives," 19 Aug. 2019

primary

Definition of primary

Synonyms & Antonyms for primary

Examples of primary in a Sentence

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