primary

Dictionary definition · primary

noun

a preliminary election where delegates or nominees are chosen
one of the main flight feathers projecting along the outer edge of a bird's wing
(astronomy) a celestial body (especially a star) relative to other objects in orbit around it
coil forming the part of an electrical circuit such that changing current in it induces a current in a neighboring circuit"current through the primary coil induces current in the secondary coil"

adjective

of first rank or importance or value; direct and immediate rather than secondary"primary goals"
not derived from or reducible to something else; basic"a primary instinct"
most important element"the chief aim of living"
of or being the essential or basic part"an elementary need for love and nurturing"

Similar words

primary election primary feather primary quill chief main master principal basal elemental elementary

Source: Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).