Etymology: Middle English, from Late Latin primarius basic, primary, from Latin, principal, from primus
Date: 15th century
1: first in order of time or development :primitive<the primary stage of civilization><the primary lesion of a disease> 2 a: of first rank, importance, or value :principal<the primary purpose>b:basic, fundamental<security is a primary need>c: of, relating to, or constituting the principal quills of a bird's wing d: of or relating to agriculture, forestry, and the extractive industries or their products e: expressive of present or future time <primary tense>f: of, relating to, or constituting the strongest of the three or four degrees of stress recognized by most linguists <the first syllable of basketball carries primary stress> 3 a:direct, firsthand<primary sources of information>b: not derivable from other colors, odors, or tastes c: preparatory to something else in a continuing process <primary instruction>d: of or relating to a primary school <primary education>e: of or relating to a primary election <a primary candidate>f: belonging to the first group or order in successive divisions, combinations, or ramifications <primary nerves>g: directly derived from ores <primary metals>h: of, relating to, or being the amino acid sequence in proteins <primary protein structure> 4: resulting from the substitution of one of two or more atoms or groups in a molecule <a primary amine>; especially: being or characterized by a carbon atom having a bond to only one other carbon atom 5: of, relating to, involving, or derived from primary meristem <primary tissue><primary growth> 6: of, relating to, or involved in the production of organic substances by green plants <primary productivity> 7: providing primary care <a primary physician>
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