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primaries

Cultural

State elections of delegates to the nominating convention that chooses a major party's presidential candidate. In some states, delegates are elected by popular vote; in other states, party caucus es or miniconventions choose delegates.

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Primaries occur at different times during the presidential election year, a situation that drags out the process by which parties nominate candidates but allows wide public exposure to candidates and issues.

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.

Facing similar questions about the source of his wealth and poor showings in early Democratic primaries, he dropped out in February of 2020.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026

In many states, primaries are over or nearly so.

From Slate • Apr. 29, 2026

Both Mejia and Hathaway will be back on the ballot in June, running in their party primaries for next cycle’s two-year term.

From Salon • Apr. 18, 2026

Black voters have played a crucial role in deciding the party’s nominee in presidential primaries.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

As a whole, the general election had been less grueling than the pitched battle of the primaries.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023