1pri·ma·ry 
/ˈpraɪˌmeri, Brit ˈpraɪməri/ adjective
always used before a noun /ˈpraɪˌmeri, Brit ˈpraɪməri/ adjective 1 a : most important : main
▪ our primary [=principal] objective/goal ▪ The economy was the primary focus of the debate. ▪ Your safety is our primary [=foremost] concern.
b : most basic or essential
▪ primary needs ▪ The family is the primary social unit of human life. ▪ The primary function of our schools is to educate our young people. — compare secondary, tertiary 2 : happening or coming first
▪ the primary [=initial] stage of a civilization ▪ We just started our primary flight training. — compare secondary, tertiary 3 : not coming from or dependent on something else
▪ The book is based mainly on primary sources rather than secondary sources. 4 chiefly Brit : relating to the education of young children
▪ primary [=(US) elementary] education/teachers
▪ our primary [=principal] objective/goal ▪ The economy was the primary focus of the debate. ▪ Your safety is our primary [=foremost] concern.
b : most basic or essential
▪ primary needs ▪ The family is the primary social unit of human life. ▪ The primary function of our schools is to educate our young people. — compare secondary, tertiary
▪ the primary [=initial] stage of a civilization ▪ We just started our primary flight training. — compare secondary, tertiary
▪ The book is based mainly on primary sources rather than secondary sources.
▪ primary [=(US) elementary] education/teachers
