primer

[ prim-er or, especially British, prahy-mer ]

/ ˈprɪm ər or, especially British, ˈpraɪ mər /

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noun

an elementary book for teaching children to read.

any book of elementary principles: a primer of phonetics.

great primer.

long primer.

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Origin of primer

1350–1400; Middle English <Medieval Latin prīmārium, noun use of neuter of prīmāriusprimary

Words nearby primer

prime minister, prime mover, prime number, prime number theorem, prime of life, primer, prime rate, prime ribs, primero, primers, prime the pump

Other definitions for primer (2 of 2)

primer²

[ prahy-mer ]

/ ˈpraɪ mər /

noun

a person or thing that primes.

a cap, cylinder, etc., containing a compound that may be exploded by percussion or other means, used for firing a charge of powder.

a first coat or layer of paint, size, etc., given to any surface as a base, sealer, or the like.

Origin of primer

1490–1500; prime (v.) + -er¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use primer in a sentence

Still, Fauci’s beginnings, trajectory and redefinition of the role of government scientist are fascinating enough that most of this compact two hours and 59 minutes of listening form a worthwhile primer for the uninitiated.
Familiar Fauci anecdotes, told with a Brooklyn accent|Amy Goldstein|October 30, 2020|Washington Post
Audubon has a great primer on how to get kids stoked on birding.
A 15-Week Exercise Plan for Kids and Families|Krista Langlois|September 12, 2020|Outside Online
Early last year we put together a short primer on how to choose a location data provider.
Foursquare becomes first company to receive MRC location-data accreditation|Greg Sterling|August 21, 2020|Search Engine Land
If you’re interested in learning more about the app that has been billed by one of its co-owners as the “adult version” of TikTok, here’s a primer.
‘We’re still in the wild west’: Free, ad-supported streaming TV war heats up with Amazon, Pluto TV updates|Tim Peterson|August 19, 2020|Digiday

Here’s a primer on what to know about the app, how it’s differentiated and why it’s well placed to become TikTok’s main rival.
WTF is Triller?|Seb Joseph|August 14, 2020|Digiday
Like Edgar, he remembers a unique time when American rappers came down and performed at the Primer Festival de Rap Cubano.
Cuban Hip-Hop Was Born in Alamar|Daniel Levin|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A brief primer on the drug: the world got to know Ambien when it was first introduced in 1992.
Is the ‘Ambien Defense’ Total Bullsh*t?|Janelle Dumalaon|April 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Gregory Korte at USA Today wrote what is probably the most complete primer on the shutdown.
Everything You Need to Know About the Looming Government Shutdown|The Daily Beast|September 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Ahead of ‘Star Trek Into Darkness,’ Sujay Kumar offers a primer on the voyages of the Starship Enterprise.
‘Star Trek’ for Dummies: Get Ready for ‘Into Darkness’ With Our Primer|Sujay Kumar|May 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
A primer to the career of the man who just became one of the most important figures in sports.
Meet Jason Collins, the First Gay Athlete in Major American Sports|Kevin Fallon|April 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Dan inserted the primer, pulled the lanyard and sent the contents of the gun into the ranks of the enemy.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn
The first book opens with a translation from a French reading-primer, Lducation maternelle.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky|Modeste Tchaikovsky
Then Jess cut a wonderful m while Violet sewed the primer down the back, and gathered a cupful of blackberries.
The Box-Car Children|Gertrude Chandler Warner
Even before recovering from the effects of the voyage, the Arabic primer, with its alphabet, was brought to the bedside.
Silver Chimes in Syria|W. S. Nelson
Elated with your wonderful discovery, you are eager to catch a minute to study your primer.
The Duty of Disobedience to the Fugitive Slave Act|Lydia Maria Child

British Dictionary definitions for primer (1 of 2)

primer¹

/ (ˈpraɪmə) /

noun

an introductory text, such as a school textbook

printing See long primer, great primer

Word Origin for primer

C14: via Anglo-Norman from Medieval Latin primārius (liber) a first (book), from Latin prīmārius primary

British Dictionary definitions for primer (2 of 2)

primer²

/ (ˈpraɪmə) /

noun

a person or thing that primes

a device, such as a tube containing explosive, for detonating the main charge in a gun, mine, etc

a substance, such as paint, applied to a surface as a base, sealer, etc

Also called (for senses 2, 3): priming

Word Origin for primer

C15: see prime (vb)

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

Medical definitions for primer

primer

[ prī′mər ]

A segment of DNA or RNA that is complementary to a given DNA sequence and that is needed to initiate replication by DNA polymerase.

primer

Origin of primer

Words nearby primer

Other definitions for primer (2 of 2)

Origin of primer

Words related to primer

How to use primer in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for primer (1 of 2)

Word Origin for primer

British Dictionary definitions for primer (2 of 2)

Word Origin for primer

Medical definitions for primer