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preeminence

or pre-em·i·nence

[ pree-em-uh-nuh ns ]

/ priˈɛm ə nəns /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR preeminence ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the state or character of being preeminent.

Origin of preeminence

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English word from Late Latin word praeēminentia. See preeminent, -ence

Words nearby preeminence

preeclampsia, preelection, preemergence, preemergent, preemie, preeminence, preeminent, preemphasis, preemployment, preempt, preemption

Example sentences from the Web for pre-eminence

Here's the point: All this clean-tech talk is just another example of China's pre-eminence as the world's superpower.

China's Economic Takeover: The World's Next Superpower by 2016 |Paul Kix |April 30, 2011 |DAILY BEAST
And this attack only underscored the company's pre-eminence.

The Internet Mob's Porn Bomb |Douglas Rushkoff |January 10, 2010 |DAILY BEAST
In all these points, they rather conceded the pre-eminence to the ancient heathens, the Greeks and Romans.

The Essence of Christianity |Ludwig Feuerbach
Indeed, I may say—without vanity, I hope—that I held something like pre-eminence among them.

The Island of Doctor Moreau |H. G. Wells

In 1844, however, the Texas question gave slavery precisely this pre-eminence in the presidential campaign.

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 16, Slice 5 |Various
It is the necessary and lawful anti-climax to Heathcliff's triumph, the final reassertion of the pre-eminence of right.

Emily Bront |A. Mary F. (Agnes Mary Frances) Robinson
Those who had discharged the office of consul enjoyed the pre-eminence of rank over the other senators.

The Every Day Book of History and Chronology |Joel Munsell