premier

[ pri-meer, -myeer, pree-meer ]
/ prɪˈmɪər, -ˈmyɪər, ˈpri mɪər /

noun

the head of the cabinet in France or Italy or certain other countries; first minister; prime minister.
a chief officer.

adjective

first in rank; chief; leading.
first in time; earliest; oldest.

Origin of premier

1400–50; late Middle English primer, primier, premer (adj.) < Anglo-French primer, premer and Middle French premier, primier literally, first < Latin prīmārius of the first rank; see primary

OTHER WORDS FROM premier

pre·mier·ship, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH premier

premier premiere

Example sentences from the Web for premier

British Dictionary definitions for premier

premier
/ (ˈprɛmjə) /

noun

another name for prime minister
any of the heads of governments of the Canadian provinces and the Australian states
(plural) Australian the winners of a premiership

adjective (prenominal)

first in importance, rank, etc
first in occurrence; earliest

Word Origin for premier

C15: from Old French: first, from Latin prīmārius principal, from prīmus first

Cultural definitions for premier

premier

The head of government in many nations. A premier's position is usually the same as that of a prime minister. The chiefs of government of the provinces of Canada are called premiers.