primary

Primary is part of the Academic Word List. It is important for students in college and university.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /ˈpraɪməri/, SAMPA: /"praIm@ri/
• (US) enPR: prīʹmĕr-ē, IPA: /ˈpraɪmɛri/, SAMPA: /"praImEri/ or enPR: prīʹmə-rē, IPA: /ˈpraɪməri/, SAMPA: /"praIm@ri/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

Adjective

Positive primary

Comparative none

Superlative none

1. (usually before the noun) First.

   Primary education covers infant schooling from the ages of 5–7 or 8, then junior schooling concluding at the ages of 10 or 11.

   Most patients are managed in primary care but the vast majority of research publications derive from hospitals.

2. (usually before the noun) most important

   The company had shops in buildings whose primary purpose was as office space.