26984 words

prime

17 definitions • 27 examples
1
main or most important:

Examples:

This is a prime example of 1930s architecture.
the prime suspect in a murder investigation
a prime source of evidence
The president is a prime (= likely) target for the assassin's bullet.
2
of the best quality:

Examples:

prime beef
The hotel is in a prime location in the city centre.
3
the period in your life when you are most active or successful:

Examples:

This is a dancer in her prime.
Middle age can be the prime of life if you have the right attitude.
I suspect this cheese is past its prime.
4
the symbol ( ' ) used, for example, to represent feet in measurements:

Examples:

Prime is used to designate units in mathematics.
5
to tell someone something that will prepare them for a particular situation:

Examples:

I'd been primed so I knew not to mention her son.
6
to cover the surface of wood with a special paint before the main paint is put on
7
to make a bomb or gun ready to explode or fire
8
most important, or of the best quality:

Examples:

You’re a prime candidate to be spending money on foolish things.
This is a prime example of native Utah architecture.
The hospital is located on prime Upper East Side property.
9
to prepare someone or something for the next stage in a process:

Examples:

Their teachers are getting those kids primed for the tests.
10
To prime a surface is to cover it with a special paint before the main paint is put on.
11
main or most important:

Examples:

This is a prime example of good salesmanship.
Reckless lending was the prime cause of the crisis.
With a market value now of only £2.1bn, it remains a prime takeover target.
12
of the best quality:

Examples:

The hotel is in a prime location in the city centre.
The land is considered prime real estate that could eventually be used for homes.
13
a rating (= measurement of how good something is) given to a loan to show how much of a risk there is that the loan will not be paid back. A Prime-1 rating means that the risk is very low. A Prime-2 or Prime-3 rating means that the risk is higher:

Examples:

Issuers rated Prime-1 have a superior ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations.
14
the period in your life or your job when you are most active or successful:

Examples:

in his/her/their prime He retired while he was still in his prime.
past my/your prime I plan to work way past my prime.
15
the lowest rate of interest that banks charge their best customers for loans over a short period and that is used for calculating the interest rates on other types of loan:

Examples:

above/below prime The loan was issued at a variable interest rate of 1.5% above prime.
16
to prepare someone or something for a particular situation:

Examples:

I was well primed for the meeting and gave a very successful presentation.
The company is primed to move ahead with its public offering.
17
to provide money, encouragement, ideas, etc. to help something get started:

Examples:

Venture capital needs to be raised to prime the pump of startups, which are long on ideas but short on cash.

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