primary school

American  

noun

1. a school usually covering the first three or four years of elementary school and sometimes kindergarten.

2. elementary school.

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primary school British  

noun

1. (in Britain) a school for children below the age of 11. It is usually divided into an infant and a junior section

2. (in the US and Canada) a school equivalent to the first three or four grades of elementary school, sometimes including a kindergarten

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Etymology

Origin of primary school

First recorded in 1795–1805

Example Sentences

"An average primary school with 50% take-up will receive nearly £30,000 a year – around 18 times more than the previous National School Breakfast Programme," a spokesperson said.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026

But others, like 19-year-old Jasmine, are in favour of a digital education, even for primary school aged children.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

Rumayna says she has been "anxious" to find out if her daughter Izzie will get into the same primary school as her older brother, but she is "definitely ready".

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

Caitriona MacMillan, a former primary school teacher, died in Oakeshott House in 2023 after spending the final years of her life there.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

It was because when our teachers, like Miss Ulfat in primary school, said “Excellent!” or “Well done!” our hearts would fly.

From "Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Changed the World" by Malala Yousafzai

Related Words

• grade school
• grammar school