noun
Uncommon
primate
PREYE-mayt
Primate (noun) means a mammal belonging to the group that includes apes, monkeys, humans, and lemurs. Example: “Chimpanzees are among our closest living primate relatives.”
noun
1
A mammal belonging to the group that includes apes, monkeys, humans, and lemurs.
"Primates range from lemurs to gorillas."
"Chimpanzees are among our closest living primate relatives."
2
A high-ranking archbishop or bishop in certain Christian churches.
"The Archbishop of Canterbury holds the title of Primate of All England."
How to use primate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither an animal from the group including monkeys, apes, and humans, or (in some churches) a top-ranking archbishop.
Common pairings
non-human primates
a primate species
Primate of All England
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Word forms
- Plural
- primates
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Chimpanzees are among our closest living _____ relatives.
Etymology
From French primate, from Latin prīmās ("one of the first rank, chief"); the biological sense reflects the old idea that primates were the "highest" order of mammals.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for primate
See all rhymes for primate →Frequently asked questions
What does “primate” mean?
The word “primate” means a mammal belonging to the group that includes apes, monkeys, humans, and lemurs. In plain terms, either an animal from the group including monkeys, apes, and humans, or (in some churches) a top-ranking archbishop.
How do you pronounce “primate”?
“Primate” is pronounced PREYE-mayt (/ˈpɹaɪmeɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “primate” in a sentence?
Here is “primate” used in a sentence: “Chimpanzees are among our closest living primate relatives.”
What part of speech is “primate”?
“Primate” is a noun.
Where does the word “primate” come from?
The word “primate” comes from Latin. From French primate, from Latin prīmās ("one of the first rank, chief"); the biological sense reflects the old idea that primates were the "highest" order of mammals.
Is “primate” a common word?
“Primate” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “primate” have?
“Primate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a mammal belonging to the group that includes apes, monkeys, humans, and lemurs.
