Preeminent meaning

prē-ĕm'ə-nənt
The definition of preeminent is someone who is distinguished in some way or who surpasses and exceeds the accomplishments of others.

The world's most knowledgeable expert on bugs is an example of a preeminent bug expert.

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Superior to or notable above all others; outstanding.
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Eminent above others; excelling others, esp. in a particular quality; surpassing.
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Exceeding others in quality or rank; of outstanding excellence, extremely notable or important. [from 15th c.]
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Origin of preeminent

  • Middle English from Latin praeēminēns present participle of praeēminēre to excel prae- pre- ēminēre to stand out eminent
    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
  • From Middle French preeminent and its source, Latin praeÄ“minÄ“ns, present participle of praeÄ“minÄ“re (“to stand out, excel"), from prae- (“pre-") + Ä“minÄ“re.
    From Wiktionary

Preeminent Sentence Examples

  • He stands preeminent above all; he unites in himself all the best qualities of other explorers..

  • Preeminent as a biographer is Ibn Khallikan (q.v.; d.

  • Ebyathar, "the [divine] father is preeminent"), in the Bible, son of Ahimelech or Ahijah, priest at Nob.

  • Rather as that city which most nobly expressed the noblest attributes of Greek political existence, and which, by her preeminent gifts both of intellect and of moral insight, was primarily responsible, everywhere and always, for the maintenance of those attributes in their integrity.

  • And though such antinomianism has always been sternly repudiated by the moral consciousness of Christendom, it has never been forgotten that " inwardness," rightness of heart or spirit, is the preeminent characteristic of Christian goodness.

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Words near preeminent in the Dictionary