premiere

[pri-meer, -myair]

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noun

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

the leading woman, as in a drama.

verb (used with object), pre·miered, pre·mier·ing.

to present publicly for the first time: to premiere a new foreign film.

verb (used without object), pre·miered, pre·mier·ing.

to have the first public showing: It will premiere at the Arcadia Theater.

to perform publicly for the first time, as in a particular role, entertainment medium, etc.: When does he premiere as Hamlet?

adjective

first; initial; principal: a premiere showing; the premiere attraction of the evening.

Origin of premiere

1890–95; < French première literally, first; feminine of premier premier

Can be confusedpremier premiere

première

[pri-meer, -myair; French pruh-myer]

noun, plural pre·mières [pri-meerz, -myairz; French pruh-myer] /prɪˈmɪərz, -ˈmyɛərz; French prəˈmyɛr/, verb (used with or without object), pre·miered, pre·mier·ing, adjective

premiere.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for premiere

debut, beginning, opening

Examples from the Web for premiere

Contemporary Examples of premiere

Their solidified friendship is one of the most touching details of the premiere, but it also puts Branson in a tricky predicament.
What Downton’s Fashion Really Means
Katie Baker
January 2, 2015
Lady Rose is also rather subdued in the premiere, which is a pity.
What Downton’s Fashion Really Means
Katie Baker
January 2, 2015
Did he participate in his own extortion and cancel his plans for a big Christmas premiere?
Should the U.S. Really Pay a Kim’s Ransom?
Kevin Bleyer
December 21, 2014
The highly anticipated sixth season of the hilarious spy-spoof will premiere on FX at 10 pm EST on January 8, 2015.
‘Archer’ Season 6 Exclusive: Watch Six ‘Certified’ Videos and See the FX Series’ New Key Art
Marlow Stern
November 24, 2014
Two years later, Death Metal Angola is readying for its premiere, and the railway film remains unfinished.
Death Metal Angola: Heavy Metal in War-Torn Africa
Nina Strochlic
November 21, 2014

Historical Examples of premiere

Despite the excitement of the premiere, Janet and Helen were up early.
Janet Hardy in Hollywood
Ruthe S. Wheeler
Helen scanned a morning paper for an account of the premiere.
Janet Hardy in Hollywood
Ruthe S. Wheeler
Miss Rennsdale was beautiful; she danced like a premiere; she had every charm but age.
Penrod
Booth Tarkington
What is the difference between a premiere danseuse and a duck?
How to Solve Conundrums
Anonymous
One of the premiere danseuses of the Opera from 1817 to 1827.
Repertory Of The Comedie Humaine, Complete, A -- Z
Anatole Cerfberr and Jules Franois Christophe

British Dictionary definitions for premiere

premiere

noun

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

the leading lady in a theatre company

verb

to give or be the first public performance of

Word Origin for premiere

C19: from French, feminine of premier first

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for premiere

1889, "first performance of a play," from French première, in phrase première représentation, from fem. of Old French premier "first" (see premier). The verb is recorded from 1940.