premier

1 of 6

adjective (1)

pre·​mier pri-ˈmir How to pronounce premier (audio)
-ˈmyir
-ˈmē-ər;
ˈprē-ˌmir How to pronounce premier (audio)
-ˌmyir
-ˌmē-ər
ˈpre-
Synonyms of premier
1
: first in position, rank, or importance
the city's premier restaurant
2
: first in time : earliest

premier

2 of 6

noun (1)

premiership
pri-ˈmir-ˌship How to pronounce premier (audio)
-ˈmyir-
-ˈmē-ər-;
ˈprē-ˌmir-
-ˌmyir-
-ˌmē-ər-
ˈpre-
noun

premier

3 of 6

verb (1)

pre·​mier

less common spelling of premiere entry 2

intransitive verb

1
: to have a first public performance
The movie/play will premiere next week.
2
: to appear for the first time as a star performer
He premiered in the title role on Broadway.

transitive verb

: to give a first public performance of
The movie was premiered at the film festival.
variants or less commonly première
plural premieres also premières
1
: a first performance or exhibition
the premiere of a play
the show's premiere episode
2
: the chief actress of a theatrical cast
variants or less commonly première or premier
premiered also premièred; premiering also premièring

intransitive verb

1
: to have a first public performance
The movie/play will premiere next week.
2
: to appear for the first time as a star performer
He premiered in the title role on Broadway.

transitive verb

: to give a first public performance of
The movie was premiered at the film festival.
: premier
In addition to the sporting events, Lillehammer also offers one of Norway's premiere cultural sites in the Maihaugen Open Air Museum …William E. Schmidt

Examples of premier in a Sentence

Adjective (1) a space shuttle on its premier voyage the premier authority on butterflies Noun (2) The movie will have its premiere next week. Verb (2) The movie premieres next week.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Streaming now The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will work in tandem with another premier observatory, the James Webb Space Telescope. Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026 Cascia Hall is one of the oldest private schools in Oklahoma, nearing its centennial, and is considered one of the premier private institutions in the state. Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 27 Aug. 2026
Noun
And the premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, joins us now from the shores of Lake Ontario. ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026 China’s premier, Li Qiang, arrived Thursday in Gyirong to direct rescue efforts, alongside 500 military and paramilitary personnel. Shristi Kafle, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
Verb
In 1991, he was tapped to manage the economy as a vice premier and was promoted to premier seven years later. Cnn Staff, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026 However, it is expected to premier in the fall of 2026. Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
Noun
The producers are pursuing an international festival launch ahead of the film’s Norwegian premiere in 2027. Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026 The actor spoke to The Associated after a final rehearsal Tuesday, ahead of a premiere that has been repeatedly delayed due to successive Russian attacks. ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
The Shitheads at long last premiered in late January at the Park City fest, paving the way for a deal with IFC the following month. Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026 After premiering at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2017, Six opened in the West End in January 2019, then began performances on Broadway in February 2020 before its interruption by the shutdown. Greg Evans, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026
Adjective
Shortly after The Hollywood Reporter published an interview with the Golf Channel senior executive timed to the return Big Break, Knapp was forced to pull its premiere episode. Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026 To that end, the FWFC launched its premiere package program last year that provides filmmakers with a free theatrical release since, per Academy rules, a film must screen for seven consecutive days to qualify. Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for premier

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

Middle English primer, primier "first in time, first in rank, foremost," borrowed from Anglo-French primer, premer, premyer "first, earliest, most important" (continental Old & Middle French primier, premier), going back to Latin prīmārius "of the highest importance or station (of persons), first-rate, chief" — more at primary entry 1

Note: Since its adoption in late Middle English, this word has shown influence in both pronunciation and spelling from Middle French and French premier.

Noun (1)

short for premier minister, after French premier ministre "first minister"

Noun (2)

(sense 1) borrowed from French première, short for première représentation "first performance"; (sense 2) probably noun derivative of premiere entry 3

Verb (2)

verb derivative of premiere entry 1

Adjective (2)

alteration of premier entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

1707, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1889, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1927, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Adjective (2)

1768, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of premier was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Premier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/premier. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Kids Definition

1
: first in position, rank, or importance : principal
2
: first in time : earliest

premier

2 of 2 noun
: the chief minister of government : prime minister

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