premier leaguen.
/ˈprɛmɪə ˌliːɡ/, U.S. /priˈmɪr ˌliɡ/, /prəˈmɪr ˌliɡ/ The highest rank or level; the elite of a particular field; spec. (in various sports) the highest-ranking league or division.
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the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > excellence > [noun] > the choice or pick > people
choicea1616
elite1738
crème de la crème1848
corps d'élite1884
premier league1898
sacred circle1939
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > association football > [noun] > league or division
Football League1889
table1896
premier league1898
division1899
1898 North Adams (Mass.) Evening Transcript 8 Sept. Young had magnificent control and speed, and the crowd had a late chance to enjoy the work of the two premier league artists.
1929 Times 25 Feb. 9/2 While members of the Epping Town Football Club were playing Eton Manor Wanderers in the Walthamstow Premier League..the dressing-room was entered and all their money was taken.
1967 Edwardsville (Illinois) Intelligencer 12 Oct. 10/5 Five of the six expansion clubs were in action last night as the premier league of hockey opened regular season play in five cities.
1980 Economist (Nexis) 18 Oct. 104 It aims to attract high-technology, capital-intensive firms that will keep Belgium in the premier league of industrial countries even if they do not offer many jobs.
2000 Independent 19 Sept. 2/6 This is a premier league dealer. He has few previous convictions. But successful drug dealers don't get caught very often. That's why they're successful.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, March 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1898