PRIMARY


Meaning of PRIMARY in English

I. pri ‧ ma ‧ ry 1 S2 W2 AC /ˈpraɪm ə ri $ -meri/ BrE AmE adjective

[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: primarius , from primus ; ⇨ ↑ prime 1 ]

1 . [usually before noun] most important SYN main :

Our primary concern is to provide the refugees with food and health care.

Many of the villagers rely on fishing as their primary source of income.

primary purpose/aim/objective

Their primary objective is to make money.

Personal safety is of primary importance.

2 . [only before noun] especially British English relating to the education of children between 5 and 11 years old SYN elementary American English ⇨ secondary :

a primary teacher

primary education

teaching at primary level

3 . happening or developing before other things:

a primary tumour

Counselling was given as a primary therapy for depression.

II. primary 2 BrE AmE noun ( plural primaries ) [countable]

1 . a primary election

2 . British English a primary school

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English.      Longman - Словарь современного английского языка.