preeminent
Calling someone preeminent means they're truly outstanding or better than everyone else — not in general, but in a specific field or specialty. Many people consider primatologist Jane Goodall to be the preeminent expert on chimpanzees.
The adjective preeminent was first recorded in the mid-15th century and has its roots in the Latin praeeminentem, which means “to project forward, rise above.” And anything that's been described as preeminent certainly does rise above the rest. Preeminent scholars or universities or craftsmen are the best at what they do and are well known because of it.
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greatest in importance or degree or significance or achievement
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Vocabulary lists containing preeminent
In this memoir Jeannette Walls recounts a turbulent childhood with her eccentric and dysfunctional family.
Bryan Stevenson details his experiences as a defense attorney, focusing on the case of Walter McMillian, who insisted on his innocence even after he was sentenced to the death penalty. This book provides an eye-opening behind-the-scenes look at how the criminal justice system works — or doesn't.
In the very depths of the Great Depression, a new president took office. Franklin D. Roosevelt would serve longer than any other president. He would bring the nation out of its worst economic crisis and through most of World War II. Read the full text here. This list covers paragraphs 1–6. Here are links to our lists for the speech: List 1, List 2, List 3