premiere

¹ American  

[pri-meer, -myair] / prɪˈmɪər, -ˈmyɛər /

French première

noun

1. a first public performance or showing of a play, opera, film, etc.

2. the leading woman, as in a drama.

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verb (used with object)

premiered, premiering

1. to present publicly for the first time.

   to premiere a new foreign film.

verb (used without object)

premiered, premiering

1. to have the first public showing.

   It will premiere at the Arcadia Theater.

2. to perform publicly for the first time, as in a particular role, entertainment medium, etc..

   When does he premiere as Hamlet?

adjective

1. first; initial; principal.

   a premiere showing; the premiere attraction of the evening.

première ² American  

[pri-meer, -myair, pruh-myer] / prɪˈmɪər, -ˈmyɛər, prəˈmyɛr /

noun

plural

premières, premièred, premièring

1. premiere.

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premiere British  

/ ˈprɛmɪə, ˈprɛmɪˌɛə /

noun

1. the first public performance of a film, play, opera, etc

2. the leading lady in a theatre company

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verb

1. to give or be the first public performance of

Etymology

Origin of premiere

First recorded in 1890–95; from French première literally, “first”; feminine of premier; premier

Explanation

A premiere is the first showing of a work of art. A movie premiere often takes place in Los Angeles or New York, with stars in attendance and the iconic red carpet rolled out to greet them. Premiere comes from the French première, which means "first." The French origin probably accounts for the word's being seen as elegant and exciting. Over time, premiere has spawned its own verb––to premiere means to perform or be performed for the first time.

Example Sentences

Later this summer, he'll play Johann Sebastian Bach in the US premiere of the play The Score, directed by Trevor Nunn, who at 86 is also keen to fly the flag for older talent.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

And earlier this week they reunited on the red carpet for the Los Angeles premiere of the show's third and possibly final season.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

“Charlie’s Angels” quickly became a sensation after its September 1976 premiere, turning Kate Jackson, Farrah Fawcett and Jaclyn Smith into major stars.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

HBO content chief Casey Bloys addressed the long road to season 3 at the Tuesday premiere at TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

One composer who had no qualms about cooperating with the Nazi regime was Carl Orff, whose Carmina Burana had its tumultuously successful premiere in Frankfurt in June 1937.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

Related Words

• beginning
• debut
• opening