preeminence Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun high status importance owing to marked superiority
    note; distinction; eminence.
    • a scholar of great eminence

WordNet

Pre*ëm"i*nence noun (Also<
  • Preeminence
  • Preëminence
)
Etymology
F. prééminence, L. praeeminentia. See Preëminent.
Definitions
  1. The quality or state of being preëminent; superiority in prominence or in excellence; distinction above others in quality, rank, etc.; rarely, in a bad sense, superiority or notoriety in evil; as, preëminence in honor.
    The preëminence of Christianity to any other religious scheme. Addison.
    Painful preëminence! yourself to view Above life's weakness, and its comforts too. Pope.
    Beneath the forehead's walled preëminence. Lowell.

Webster 1913