primary meaning and definition

PRIMARY noun

Definition of primary (noun)

1. a preliminary election where delegates or nominees are chosen
   • synonyms: primary election
2. one of the main flight feathers projecting along the outer edge of a bird's wing
   • synonyms: primary feather, primary quill
3. (astronomy) a celestial body (especially a star) relative to other objects in orbit around it
4. coil forming the part of an electrical circuit such that changing current in it induces a current in a neighboring circuit
   • "current through the primary coil induces current in the secondary coil"
   • synonyms: primary coil, primary winding

PRIMARY adjective

Definition of primary (adjective)

1. of first rank or importance or value; direct and immediate rather than secondary
   • "primary goals"; "a primary effect"; "primary sources"; "a primary interest"
   • antonym: secondary
2. not derived from or reducible to something else; basic
   • "a primary instinct"
3. most important element
   • "the chief aim of living"; "the main doors were of solid glass"; "the principal rivers of America"; "the principal example"; "policemen were primary targets"; "the master bedroom"; "a master switch"
   • synonyms: chief, main, master, principal
4. of or being the essential or basic part
   • "an elementary need for love and nurturing"
   • synonyms: elemental, elementary
5. of primary importance
   • synonyms: basal