primer

1 of 2

noun (1)

prim·er ˈpri-mər

chiefly British ˈprī-mə

Synonyms of primer next

: a small book for teaching children to read

: a small introductory book on a subject

: a short informative piece of writing

primer

2 of 2

noun (2)

prim·er ˈprī-mər

: a device for priming

especially : a cap, tube, or wafer containing percussion powder or compound used to ignite an explosive charge

: material used in priming a surface

called also prime coat

: a molecule (such as a short strand of RNA or DNA) whose presence is required for formation of another molecule (such as a longer chain of DNA)

Did you know?

Primers were once a standard part of every child's education. The first primer printed in North America, The New England Primer (ca. 1690), was typical; it contained many quotations from the Bible and many moral lessons, and the text was accompanied by numerous woodcut illustrations. We no longer use the word in early education, but it's widely used in everyday speech. Notice how primer is pronounced; don't mix it up with the kind of paint that's pronounced with a long *i *sound.

Examples of primer in a Sentence

Noun (1) a primer of human anatomy

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Noun

And hey, if that sounds like a marathon, grab a cream shadow that can double as a primer! —

Jenny Berg, Vogue, 23 Nov. 2024 This eye primer's weightless invisipink formula melts into all skin tones, creating a smooth surface for effortless blending. —

Nora Colomer, Fox News, 23 Oct. 2024 Use it on your neck, eyes, lips, and cheeks as a makeup primer or just a daily moisturizer. —

Hannah Rice, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2024 Think of this as our primer on enriched dough, a type of dough that includes ingredients like eggs and butter to yield a tender crumb and soft exterior. —

Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appétit, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for primer

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, "layperson's prayer book," borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Medieval Latin prīmārius, prīmārium, noun derivatives from masculine and neuter of prīmārius "lying at the beginning, primary entry 1"

Noun (2)

prime entry 3 + -er entry 2

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1650, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler

The first known use of primer was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Primer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/primer. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

primer

1 of 2 noun

prim·er ˈprim-ər

especially British ˈprī-mər

: a small book for teaching children to read

: a book that introduces a subject

a primer of chemistry

: a short informative piece of writing

a primer on healthy eating

primer

2 of 2 noun

prim·er ˈprī-mər

: a device (as a cap or tube) containing a small explosive charge that is used for setting off a larger explosive charge (as in a cartridge)

: material used in priming a surface

Medical Definition

primer

noun

prim·er ˈprī-mər

: a molecule (as a short strand of RNA or DNA) whose presence is required for formation of another molecule (as a longer chain of DNA)

Last Updated: 27 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

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primer

noun (1)

noun (2)

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Synonyms

Examples of primer in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near primer

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition