Primary

/ˈpraɪˌmɛri/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A primary election.

Voters will cast their ballots in the state’s primary on Tuesday.

The main source or foundation of something.

Water is a primary for all known life forms.

adjective

First or highest in rank or importance; principal.

The primary objective of the project is to improve community health.

Fundamental or essential; basic.

The primary goal of education is to foster critical thinking skills.

Related to or denoting the first or earliest stage of something.

Children learn primary skills in their early years of development.

Referring to the main or first electoral event in a political process.

The candidates are preparing for the upcoming primary elections next month.

From Latin 'primarius' meaning 'first, principal'.

primary source

An original material or evidence.

primary education

The first stage of formal education.

primary care

Basic health care services.

primary color

A color that cannot be made by mixing other colors.

primary election

An election in which political parties choose candidates for the general election.

In first place or ranked highest in importance.

That project is primary right now.

Something that is of utmost priority.

Getting that report done is primary.