premier

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   preceding all others in time

   the premiere showing

2. 2
   verb

   be performed for the first time

   We premiered the opera of the young composer and it was a critical success

3. 3
   adj

   Foremost; first or highest in quality or degree.

   2004, Philip Moore, Scouting an Anthropology of Sport, Anthropologica, Volume 46, Number 1, Canadian Anthropology Society, page 40, This failure, for a team associated with one of the premier Australian Rules Football teams with the longest of traditions, is truly enormous.

4. 4
   adj

   Most ancient; first to hold a specified status.

   PREMIER, a. This French word, which signifies first, is used by English Heralds to signify the most ancient Peer of any Degree by Creation; as Premier Baron, &c.

5. 5
   noun

   The head of government in parliament and leader of the cabinet.

   1871 July 29, “Our Tyrant”, The Spectator, Volume 303, Issues 9308-9315, page 910, Mr. Gladstone had literally no option. Not to coerce the Lords was to coerce the Commons to continue purchase in spite of their repeated votes for its abolition, and this the Premier had as little the power as the will to do.

6. 6
   noun

   The government leader in a legislative congress or leader of a government-level administrative body; the head of government.

   1983, Guo Zhou, China & the World, Volume 4, Beijing Review, page 13, This shows that our policy of strengthening friendly ties with Africa as developed by Chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou Enlai is a correct one and that it has won popular support in Africa.

7. 7
   verb

   To perform, display or exhibit for the first time.

   The composer invited all his friends when they premiered the movie he orchestrated, we got to see it before anyone but the crew.

8. 8
   noun

   the person who is head of state (in several countries)

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French premier (adjective), from Latin prīmārius. Doublet of primary.