Prime Praɪm Adjective Concern Protect Property Winning Objective

• my prime concern is to protect my property.
• winning is not the prime objective in this sport.
• the care of the environment is of prime importance.
• he's the police's prime suspect in this case.

prime

1. main; most important; basic
• My prime concern is to protect my property.
• Winning is not the prime objective in this sport.
• The care of the environment is of prime importance.
• He's the police's prime suspect in this case.
2. of the best quality; excellent
• prime (cuts of) beef
• The store has a prime position in the mall.

Extra Examples

• Over £100 000 worth of prime lamb was destroyed in the fire.
• a prime location in the centre of town
3. a prime example of something is one that is typical of it
• The building is a prime example of 1960s architecture.
4. most likely to be chosen for something; most suitable
• The house is isolated and a prime target for burglars.
• He's a prime candidate for promotion.

Word Origin

• adjective Old English prīm (referring to a service of the Divine Office of the Western Church, said at the first hour of the day), from Latin prima (hora) ‘first (hour)’, reinforced in Middle English by Old French prime; the adjective dates from late Middle English, via Old French from Latin primus ‘first’.