paramount

¹ American  

[par-uh-mount] / ˈpær əˌmaʊnt /

adjective

1. chief in importance or impact; supreme; preeminent.

   a point of paramount significance.

   Antonyms:

   unimportant

2. above others in rank or authority; superior in power or jurisdiction.

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noun

1. a supreme ruler; overlord.

Paramount ² American  

[par-uh-mount] / ˈpær əˌmaʊnt /

noun

1. a city in SW California, near Los Angeles.

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paramount British  

/ ˈpærəˌmaʊnt /

adjective

1. of the greatest importance or significance; pre-eminent

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noun

1. rare a supreme ruler

Related Words

See dominant.

Other Word Forms

• paramountcy noun
• paramountly adverb
• superparamount adjective

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”; ad-, mount ² )

Example Sentences

It's paramount that astronauts work out: the microgravity environment takes stress off bones and muscles, which can lead to significant loss without precautions.

From Barron's • Apr. 4, 2026

For Scotland, Naismith admitted getting it right for "travel and humidity" was paramount.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

“Discounters are in this really tricky spot, where price is paramount, but they’re up against the likes of Walmart,” Moran said.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

And interviewing a sitting president has long conferred prestige, which might well feel paramount amid shrinking audiences and newsroom layoffs.

From Slate • Mar. 18, 2026

The regent had not forgotten that it was due to my father’s intervention that he had become acting paramount chief.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

• outstanding
• predominant
• preeminent