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Definition of primate

primate

/ˈpɹaɪmeɪt/
pri · mate
Plural:primates
•
Adjective:primatial
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primate Lexical Profile

primate Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A mammal belonging to the order Primates, which includes lemurs, tarsiers, monkeys, apes, and humans, characterized by advanced cognitive abilities, binocular vision, and grasping hands.

Example

"Jane Goodall's groundbreaking research significantly expanded our understanding of primate behavior in the wild."

2

An archbishop or bishop ranking first among the bishops of a specific province or national church.

Example

"The Archbishop of Canterbury serves as the primate of the Church of England."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for primate

• Rhymes for primate

• Nearby Words

prickle poppy
prickleback
prickly pear cactus
primate
primogenitrix
primrose
primula

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old French 'primat' and Latin 'primas' meaning 'of the first rank' or 'chief', derived from 'primus' (first). The zoological sense was introduced by Carl Linnaeus in 1758 because he considered humans and related species to be the 'highest' order of animals.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Primate. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 20, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/primate
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