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