adj. 1. Of chief concern or importance: "My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union" (Abraham Lincoln). 2. Highest in rank, power, or authority: the paramount leader of the nation. n. One that has the highest rank, power, or authority. [Anglo-Norman paramont, above : par, by (from Latin per; see per1 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots) + amont, above, upward; see AMOUNT.] para·mount′cy n. para·mount′ly adv. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.