the primary definition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the primary definition" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the main or most important meaning of a word or term in a specific context. Example: "In the dictionary, the primary definition of 'love' emphasizes deep affection and attachment."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

We therefore revert to the primary definition of the term: the health of the public.

Harvard University

The primary definition of a fixed wireless technology is that the transmitter and receiver are both in a fixed location.

Hackproofing Your Wireless Network

The pair wear the jerseys of finalists the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos in the image, posted by Stewart, holding a soccer ball and laying claim to the primary definition of 'football'football

Independent

Fourteen (56%) patients experienced an increase in CIPC of at least 15% following fluid challenge and were subsequently classified as responders, according to the primary definition.

Annals of Intensive Care

Thus the primary definition of Rhōmaios was "political or statist".

Wikipedia

But by and large, the primary definition of the word refers to physical attractiveness.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

In this case, I thought of the name Folly Cove because I love the word "folly" and what it means--the primary definition is "a foolish act or behavior --and each of the main characters in the novel had certainly behavior --and foolhardy mistakes.

Huffington Post

The comparison of the primary definitions yielded a Kappa of 0.44 and a 72% global agreement.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

The distribution of participants according to the primary definitions (questionnaire and physical examination) and agreement values are presented in Table 2.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Webster's New World Dictionary offers the following primary definition: 'The inflicting of severe pain to force information and confession, get revenge, etc'.

The Guardian

Medication interruption was also defined as non-adherence if it was detected during the interview (primary definition).

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the primary definition", ensure that the context clearly indicates which term or concept you are defining. Provide enough information to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that the primary definition is always the most relevant in every context. Consider the specific field or situation to determine the most appropriate meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the primary definition" functions as a noun phrase that identifies and introduces the most important or fundamental meaning of a word, concept, or term. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig show its usage in various fields.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

57%

News & Media

25%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the primary definition" is a useful phrase for specifying the main or most important meaning of a term. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English. As seen in the provided examples, it appears across various contexts, especially in scientific and news media. When using this phrase, ensure clarity and context to avoid confusion with secondary meanings. Alternatives such as "the main definition" or "the core definition" can be used for semantic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the main definition

Replaces "primary" with "main", emphasizing the most important definition.

the principal definition

Substitutes "primary" with "principal", highlighting the chief or leading definition.

the core definition

Focuses on the central or essential meaning.

the basic definition

Emphasizes the fundamental or elementary meaning.

the original definition

Highlights the initial or earliest meaning.

the standard definition

Indicates the commonly accepted or conventional meaning.

the key definition

Stresses the crucial or significant meaning.

the essential definition

Points out the indispensable or necessary meaning.

the initial definition

Refers to the first or beginning definition provided.

the chief definition

Indicates the most important or prominent definition.

FAQs

How can I use "the primary definition" in a sentence?

You can use "the primary definition" to introduce the most common or basic meaning of a term. For instance, "The primary definition of 'altruism' involves selfless concern for others."

What is another way to say "the primary definition"?

Alternatives include "the main definition", "the principal definition", or "the core definition", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it important to specify "the primary definition"?

It's important to specify "the primary definition" when a term has multiple meanings and you want to emphasize the most common or fundamental one, especially in technical or academic contexts.

What's the difference between "the primary definition" and "the secondary definition"?

"The primary definition" refers to the main or most common meaning of a word, while "the secondary definition" refers to a less common or derivative meaning.