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| Date: | 1400-1500 |
| Language: | Latin |
| Origin: | primarius, from primus; PRIME1 |
1 [usually before noun] most important [= main]: 
Our primary concern is to provide the refugees with food and healthcare.Many of the villagers rely on fishing as their primary source of income.
Our primary concern is to provide the refugees with food and healthcare.Many of the villagers rely on fishing as their primary source of income.2 [only before noun]SES especially British English relating to the education of children between five and eleven years old [= elementary AmE; ↪ secondary]: a primary teacher primary education teaching at primary level
a primary teacherprimary educationteaching at primary level3 happening or developing before other things : a primary tumour Counselling was given as a primary therapy for depression.
a primary tumourCounselling was given as a primary therapy for depression.