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

Noun

Here’s a quick primer on the various controversies swirling across the UC system. —

Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2024 But given how it’s been two years since the first season dropped, a primer would have helped. —

Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 22 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for primer

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'primer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 3 Jun. 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: 3 Jun 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