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• premiere
  premiere

  noun

  a first public performance or showing of a play, opera, film, etc.
• première
  première

  noun

  premiere.

premiere

¹ American  

[pri-meer, -myair] / prɪˈmɪər, -ˈmyɛər /

French première

noun

1. a first public performance or showing of a play, opera, film, etc.

2. the leading woman, as in a drama.

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verb (used with object)

premiered, premiering

1. to present publicly for the first time.

   to premiere a new foreign film.

verb (used without object)

premiered, premiering

1. to have the first public showing.

   It will premiere at the Arcadia Theater.

2. to perform publicly for the first time, as in a particular role, entertainment medium, etc..

   When does he premiere as Hamlet?

adjective

1. first; initial; principal.

   a premiere showing; the premiere attraction of the evening.

première ² American  

[pri-meer, -myair, pruh-myer] / prɪˈmɪər, -ˈmyɛər, prəˈmyɛr /

noun

premières plural

1. premiere.

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premiere British  

/ ˈprɛmɪə, ˈprɛmɪˌɛə /

noun

1. the first public performance of a film, play, opera, etc

2. the leading lady in a theatre company

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verb

1. to give or be the first public performance of

Etymology

Origin of premiere

First recorded in 1890–95; from French première literally, “first”; feminine of premier; see origin at premier

Explanation

A premiere is the first showing of a work of art. A movie premiere often takes place in Los Angeles or New York, with stars in attendance and the iconic red carpet rolled out to greet them. Premiere comes from the French première, which means "first." The French origin probably accounts for the word's being seen as elegant and exciting. Over time, premiere has spawned its own verb––to premiere means to perform or be performed for the first time.

Example Sentences

Peacock is about to find out whether those fans will stick with it for another season, set to premiere June 2.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 24, 2026

There was no splashy Hollywood premiere like last year’s “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning,” and there were only two American films in the prestigious main competition.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 23, 2026

Supermodel Bella Hadid let her figure-hugging Schiaparelli dress do the talking for her at the premiere of the epic Charles de Gaulle biopic "De Gaulle: Tilting Iron".

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

The film had its local premiere the night before at the historic Grand Lake Theater and, rather than sounding morning-after bleary, Riley is energized, overflowing with ideas.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026

This was followed by the premiere two years later of Cavalli's Ere ole amante in the Salle des Machines in the Tuileries, but the French had by this time developed a preference for ballet.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

Related Words

• beginning
• debut
• opening