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

See Examples For:

primary election

However, the upcoming convention will look more like the sort of nominating conventions that dominated party politics prior to the widespread adoption of the primary election nominating process.

From Salon ● Jul. 18, 2026

Graham had recently won a primary election to seek a fourth Senate term in the November mid-terms.

From Barron's ● Jul. 12, 2026

Since the Los Angeles mayoral primary election last week, unsupported conspiracy claims have flooded social media about how reality TV personality Spencer Pratt fell out of the race.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 12, 2026

Just before the primary election, 44% of likely primary voters surveyed had a favorable view of Becerra compared to 38% who viewed him unfavorably.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 11, 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