Definition of preeminent

< preemie

preempt >

pre·em·i·nent or pre-em·i·nent    (pr-m-nnt) KEY 

ADJECTIVE:

Superior to or notable above all others; outstanding. See Synonyms at dominant, noted.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Latin praeminns, present participle of praeminre, to excel : prae-, pre- + minre, to stand out ; see eminent

OTHER FORMS:
pre·emi·nence(Noun), pre·emi·nent·ly(Adverb)