premier: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2formal (as a noun), formal and journalistic (as an adjective)
Quick answer
What does “premier” mean?
first in importance, order, or position.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
first in importance, order, or position.
refers to the head of government in certain countries (e.g., Canada, Australia), a leading or foremost example, or something that is earliest in time.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the US, 'premier' is almost exclusively an adjective. The noun 'premier' for a government leader is rare (preferring 'prime minister'). In the UK, it is used as both an adjective and, less commonly, as a noun for a prime minister, though 'PM' is more typical.
Connotations
As an adjective, it has a slightly more formal and prestigious connotation than 'first' or 'leading'.
Frequency
Higher frequency in political and business contexts. In everyday US speech, 'premier' is less common than 'top', 'leading', or 'best'.
Grammar
How to Use “premier” in a Sentence
[premier + noun] (e.g., premier event)[the + premier + of + country]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “premier” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The new policy will premier next quarter.
- The channel will premier the documentary series tonight.
American English
- The network will premier the show in the fall.
- The product is set to premier at the tech conference.
adverb
British English
- This model is premier among its competitors.
- (Adverbial use is very rare and often considered non-standard.)
American English
- The team performed premier throughout the season.
- (Adverbial use is rare and typically avoided in formal writing.)
adjective
British English
- She attended the premier academic institution in the country.
- The UK's premier export remains financial services.
American English
- He is the premier expert in quantum computing.
- The state is a premier destination for wine tourism.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Our company aims to be the premier provider of sustainable energy solutions in the region.
Academic
The premier concern of the study was to establish a causal link between the variables.
Everyday
That new Italian restaurant is considered the premier spot for pizza in town.
Technical
The software's premier feature is its advanced data encryption algorithm.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “premier”
- Using 'premier' as a casual synonym for 'good' (e.g., 'That film was premier' – incorrect).
- Confusing spelling with 'premiere' (first performance).
- In US English, using 'the premier' to mean 'the prime minister' sounds foreign.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Premier' (noun/adjective) means first in rank or importance, or a political leader. 'Premiere' (noun/verb) refers to the first public performance or showing of a play, film, etc.
Yes, but it is less common and often interchangeable with 'premiere', especially in the context of films or shows being shown for the first time. Some style guides prefer 'premiere' for this meaning.
As an adjective, it is formal and journalistic. As a political noun, it is standard formal vocabulary in countries like Canada and Australia.
In British English, the stress is on the first syllable: /ˈprɛmɪə/. In American English, the stress is on the second syllable: /prɪˈmɪr/.
first in importance, order, or position.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “of premier importance”
- “the premier league of (something)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'PREMIER' as 'PRE-MIER' – coming before (pre) and being more important (like a 'mir'ror that reflects the best).
Conceptual Metaphor
IMPORTANCE IS BEING FIRST (The first position on a list or in a race is associated with highest status).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the noun 'premier' most commonly used in British English?