paramount
adjective
chief in importance or impact; supreme; preeminent.
paramount
1 American
[par-uh-mount]
/ ˈpær əˌmaʊnt /
adjective
-
chief in importance or impact; supreme; preeminent.
a point of paramount significance.
- Antonyms:
- unimportant
-
above others in rank or authority; superior in power or jurisdiction.
noun
Paramount
2
American
[par-uh-mount]
/ ˈpær əˌmaʊnt /
noun
paramount
British
/ ˈpærəˌmaʊnt /
adjective
noun
Synonym Usage
See dominant.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of paramount
First recorded in 1525–35; from Anglo-French paramont “above,” from par per- + amont “upward, above” (from Latin ad montem “to the mountain”; see ad-, mount 2)
Explanation
To the President, protecting our nation's security is of paramount importance — it's at the very top of his to-do list. Paramount goes way beyond "important." It's absolutely critical. Something that is of paramount importance has a great urgency to it. Getting your oil changed is important, but making sure your car's brakes are working before you drive down a steep, icy slope is absolutely paramount.
Vocabulary lists containing paramount
"The Odyssey" by Homer, Books 8–13
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Frankenstein
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Very Necessary: Synonyms for "Important"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
One of those workers who thinks job security is paramount is Arkadiusz Bolanowski, 32, a Colorado man who works in solar development and an independent power producer.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 16, 2026
All four Mosley kids — their daughter, Jalyn, and three boys, Emmett Jr., Trent and Grant — were brought up on the principle that preparation was paramount.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026
The Welsh Government said the safety of pupils and staff was of "paramount importance".
From BBC ● Aug. 24, 2026
"Guaranteeing our naval and joint forces have the lethal firepower they need to deter aggression and protect the homeland is paramount," Cao said in a statement.
From Barron's ● Aug. 17, 2026
Howard did his best to warm them to the idea of rescheduling the match, even setting aside his heretofore paramount goal of breaking Sun Beau’s earnings mark.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
Netflix raised prices across all of its plans in the U.S. in March, while Paramount boosted prices for Paramount+ in January.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 2026
The pace of the negotiations, which had been on-again, off-again for weeks, quickened last week, and Bonta’s office had reached a deal with Paramount by Friday, sources said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 23, 2026
Under the settlement, Paramount agreed to release at least 30 movies annually in the first five years after the merger closes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 2026
Bonta said the deal has “real teeth,” and that he “will hold Paramount accountable” moving forward.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 23, 2026
Everybody was on their way to the movies--the Paramount or the Astor or the Strand or the Capitol or one of those crazy places.
From "The Catcher in the Rye" by J. D. Salinger
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
