I. ˈparəˌmau̇nt also ˈper-; substand New York City often -mänt adjective
Etymology: Anglo-French paramont, from Old French par by (from Latin per through, by) + amont above, from a to (from Latin ad ) + mont mountain — more at for , at , mount
1. : having a higher or the highest rank or authority
one of the paramount sheikhs in the desert — Times Literary Supplement
the paramount king of Yoruba land — J.G.Frazer
the paramount patriarch of the group — Weston La Barre
2. : superior to all others (as in power, position, or importance) : chief , supreme , preeminent
the need of this people for water is paramount — M.J.Herskovits
the new constitution should be … paramount over all other constitutions — F.A.Ogg & P.O.Ray
Federal Government's claim of paramount right and dominion over the resources of the marginal sea — U.S. Code
the reporter is the paramount performer — F.L.Mott
the paramount problem of our time — Cecil Hobbs
time is of paramount importance — F.D.Roosevelt
Synonyms: see dominant
II. noun
( -s )
: a lord paramount : a supreme proprietor or ruler
his cousin … the paramount of the tribe — T.E.Lawrence