Primacy
/ˈpraɪməsi/
nounC1
Definition
Primacy is the state of being first or most important in a group, order, or system. It often refers to having the highest rank, priority, or influence over others. For example, a country may have primacy in politics if it is the strongest or most powerful.
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See It in Action
The state of being first in importance or rank
- •The company's primacy in the market makes it a leader in technology.
- •In history, Rome had primacy over many other cities.
- •The primacy of the president means his decisions are final.
The condition of being first in time or order (less common)
- •The primacy of the morning meeting means it happens before all others.
- •She values the primacy of family time in her daily schedule.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "primacy" like "first" (A1 word), but not just in time—also in importance or power
- ✓Picture a race where the winner stands on the highest step of the podium, showing they have primacy over others
- ✓It's the feeling when someone is the leader in a group, and everyone listens to them first
- ✓Sounds like "PRY-muh-see" → imagine someone prying open a door first to enter a room before everyone else
- ✓Think of famous leaders or countries that have primacy because they are most important or powerful in their area
- ✓NOT like "priority" (which is about what to do first), primacy is about being the most important overall, not just what comes first in time
- ✓NOT like "dominance" which can be about control or force, primacy can be about respect or formal rank too
Try Other Words
- •Supremacy: highest power or authority (Use when focusing on power or control)
- •Priority: something given more attention or done before others (Use when talking about order or what comes first in tasks)
- •Dominance: control over others (Use when emphasizing control or influence by force or strength)
- •Leadership: position of leading a group (Use when focusing on guiding or directing people)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "prim-" (from Latin "primus" meaning first) + suffix "-acy" (forming a noun meaning state or quality)
- •Etymology: From Latin "primus" meaning first, with "-acy" to form a noun indicating the condition of being first
- •Historical development: Used in English since the 15th century to describe the state of being first or most important
- •Modern usage: Often used in politics, business, and social contexts to describe who or what has the highest rank or importance
- •Key insight: Primacy is about position and importance, not just time order
Reflect & Connect
•How does the idea of primacy affect the way people or countries behave in groups or competitions?
•Can something have primacy in one area but not in another? How do we decide what is most important?
Fill in the blanks
1.The primacy of a leader means they have the ___ to make final decisions in the group.
2.When two tasks conflict, the one with primacy is usually ___ first.
3.A country with primacy in the world often has the most ___ or influence.
4.Unlike priority, primacy refers to being most important overall, not just ___ in time.
5.The primacy of education in a society shows how much people ___ learning.
6.Sometimes primacy is challenged when others try to ___ power or importance.
7.In history, the primacy of certain cities changed as new powers ___.