1 MAIN[usually before noun] most important 首要的，主要的 SYN main
Our primary concern is to provide the refugees with food and health care.
我们的头等大事是向难民提供食品和医疗。
Many of the villagers rely on fishing as their primary source of income.
很多村民以打鱼作为他们的主要收入来源。
primary purpose/aim/objective
Their primary objective is to make money.
他们的主要目标是赚钱。
Personal safety is of primary importance.
► see thesaurus at important, main 人身安全至关重要。
2 [only before noun]SES especially British EnglishBrE relating to the education of children between 5 and 11 years old 小学教育的，初级教育的 SYN American English elementary → secondary
a primary teacher
一名小学老师
primary education
小学教育
teaching at primary level
小学程度教学
3 BEFOREhappening or developing before other things 原始的；最初的
a primary tumour
早期肿瘤
Counselling was given as a primary therapy for depression.
心理咨询是抑郁症的初步疗法。