paramount
1 Americanadjective
-
chief in importance or impact; supreme; preeminent.
a point of paramount significance.
- Antonyms:
- unimportant
-
above others in rank or authority; superior in power or jurisdiction.
noun
noun
adjective
noun
Related Words
See dominant.
Other Word Forms
- paramountcy noun
- paramountly adverb
- superparamount adjective
Etymology
Origin of paramount
First recorded in 1525–35; from Anglo-French paramont “above,” from par per- + amont “upward, above” (from Latin ad montem “to the mountain”; see ad-, mount 2)
Explanation
To the President, protecting our nation's security is of paramount importance — it's at the very top of his to-do list. Paramount goes way beyond "important." It's absolutely critical. Something that is of paramount importance has a great urgency to it. Getting your oil changed is important, but making sure your car's brakes are working before you drive down a steep, icy slope is absolutely paramount.
Vocabulary lists containing paramount
"The Odyssey" by Homer, Books 8–13
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Frankenstein
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Very Necessary: Synonyms for "Important"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Before all this happened, I just thought health and safety was paramount to any HGV driver and I never thought something like this could ever happen," he said.
From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026
“The ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz is greatly damaging. The restoration of freedom of navigation is of paramount importance,” she said.
From Salon • Apr. 14, 2026
Kennard’s poise was been paramount for the team during an emotional week.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2026
It's paramount that astronauts work out: the microgravity environment takes stress off bones and muscles, which can lead to significant loss without precautions.
From Barron's • Apr. 4, 2026
Josquin was the first composer in history for whom the meaning of the words being sung was paramount.
From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
