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
Synonyms
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
This shared sense of exceptionalism was also the common factor in the country’s two otherwise contradictory foreign-policy traditions, as Henry Kissinger pointed out in 1994, at a moment of unipolar American primacy.
—Andreas Kluth, The Mercury News, 25 June 2024
And this is the most important part of the American Revolution, which advanced the idea of the primacy of authority, not power, over the consciences, lives, and property of its citizens.
—Robert Sirico, National Review, 24 June 2024
Yet there are three important ways in which the Biden administration has yet to recalibrate its approach to the world of post-American primacy.
—Ben Rhodes, Foreign Affairs, 18 June 2024
Why America Can’t Have It All Washington must choose between primacy and prioritizing.
—Foreign Affairs, 10 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for primacy 
Andreas Kluth, The Mercury News, 25 June 2024
And this is the most important part of the American Revolution, which advanced the idea of the primacy of authority, not power, over the consciences, lives, and property of its citizens.
—Robert Sirico, National Review, 24 June 2024
Yet there are three important ways in which the Biden administration has yet to recalibrate its approach to the world of post-American primacy.
—Ben Rhodes, Foreign Affairs, 18 June 2024
Why America Can’t Have It All Washington must choose between primacy and prioritizing.
—Foreign Affairs, 10 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for primacy
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'primacy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near primacy
Cite this Entry
“Primacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/primacy. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share