premier

[pri-meer, -myeer, pree-meer] /prɪˈmɪər, -ˈmyɪər, ˈpri mɪər/
noun
1.
the head of the cabinet in France or Italy or certain other countries; first minister; prime minister.
2.
a chief officer.
adjective
3.
first in rank; chief; leading.
4.
first in time; earliest; oldest.
Origin
1400-50; late Middle English primer, primier, premer (adj.) < Anglo-French primer, premer and Middle French premier, primier literally, first < Latin prīmārius of the first rank; see primary
Related forms
premiership, noun
Can be confused
premier, premiere.
Examples from the web for premier
  • At such times, arctic foxes will follow the region's premier predator—a polar bear—to eat the leftover scraps from its kills.
  • The premier fantasy art team reveal the secrets behind their success.
  • I've been watching since the premier.
  • The premier downtown spot for shopping, dining and entertainment.
  • The premier's personal image has not helped.
  • He has great defensive skills and is the premier catcher in the majors.
  • As the province's new premier was sworn in on March 8th, many hoped so.
  • We just had another premier recently.
  • But he has endured as one of the league's premier players throughout his 16-year career.
  • They could take the premier now, instead of the little entresol of the hotel which they occupied.
British Dictionary definitions for premier

premier

/ˈprɛmjə/
noun
1.
another name for prime minister
2.
any of the heads of governments of the Canadian provinces and the Australian states
3.
(pl) (Austral) the winners of a premiership
adjective (prenominal)
4.
first in importance, rank, etc
5.
first in occurrence; earliest
Word Origin
C15: from Old French: first, from Latin prīmārius principal, from prīmus first
Word Origin and History for premier
adj.

mid-15c., "first in time;" late 15c. as "first in rank," from Middle French premier "first, chief," from Latin primarius "of the first rank, chief" (see primary (adj.)).

n.

1711 in the political sense, a shortening of premier minister (1680s); see premier (adj.). In U.S. usage, premier formerly was applied occasionally to the Secretary of State (1855-c.1900).

premier in Culture

premier definition


The head of government in many nations. A premier's position is usually the same as that of a prime minister. The chiefs of government of the provinces of Canada are called premiers.