primate

A mammal belonging to the group that includes monkeys, apes, lemurs, and humans.

• A monkey is a primate.
• Many primates live in tropical forests.
• Scientists compare human behavior with that of other primates.

Common phrases: nonhuman primate, primate species, primate behavior

A senior church leader, often the highest-ranking bishop in a country or church region.

• The primate led the service.
• Church leaders met the primate to discuss the dispute.
• Several Anglican primates attended the international meeting.

How to use it: primate of somewhere (He became primate of the church in that country.)

Common phrases: Anglican primate, primate of somewhere, church primate