primary election

American  

noun

1. primary.

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primary election British  

noun

1. See primary

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Etymology

Origin of primary election

First recorded in 1785–95

Example Sentences

If needed, “New York courts can move the primary election date.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 3, 2026

During the debate on ranked choice voting, Commissioner Diego Andrades explained that the city would no longer hold a primary election, which would save money.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 28, 2026

The candidates will now gear up for the June 2 primary election, with the general election set for Nov. 3.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 23, 2026

So far, the campaign says, they’ve received around 200 requests to volunteer for a primary election on June 2.

From Salon • Feb. 9, 2026

Allwright, the Supreme Court ended the use of the all-white primary election; and in 1946, the Court ruled that state laws requiring segregation on interstate buses were unconstitutional.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander