primary school

noun

1. a school usually covering the first three or four years of elementary school and sometimes kindergarten.

2. elementary school.

primary school

noun

1. (in Britain) a school for children below the age of 11. It is usually divided into an infant and a junior section

2. (in the US and Canada) a school equivalent to the first three or four grades of elementary school, sometimes including a kindergarten

Word History and Origins

Origin of primary school¹

First recorded in 1795–1805

Example Sentences

Recognising that her twin passions were music and children, she quietly withdrew from royal life and took a job as a music teacher at a primary school in Kingston upon Hull.

From BBC

The duchess was a great music lover - supporting music charities and teaching music in a Hull primary school, where pupils knew nothing of her royal identity, and where she was known as "Mrs Kent".

From BBC

Research from the Children's Commissioner shows that 99.8% of primary schools and 90% of secondary schools already have policies restricting the use of mobile phones.

From BBC

Government figures indicated the average cost of a uniform was just over £340 for primary school children and about £454 for those in secondary education.

From BBC

A primary school has not reopened for the new term after thieves stole pipes leaving the site without water.

From BBC

Related Words

• grade school 
• grammar school