prime minister

American  

noun

1. the principal minister and head of government in parliamentary systems; chief of the cabinet or ministry.

   the British prime minister.

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prime minister British  

noun

1. the head of a parliamentary government

2. the chief minister of a sovereign or a state

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prime minister Cultural  

1. The head of government in many nations. Prime minister is commonly the title of the head of government in a parliamentary system, such as that of Britain or Canada.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• prime-ministerial
  adjective
• prime-ministership
  noun
• prime ministership
  noun
• prime ministry
  noun

Etymology

Origin of prime minister

First recorded in 1640–50

Example Sentences

Speaking to Politico on the sidelines of a European summit on Friday, the prime minister said nobody would be interested in the development "if it was not Jared".

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

A speech from the prime minister which will include a new policy on social media is planned for next week.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

The friendship between the deputy prime minister and the vice-president began when Lammy was an opposition MP and Vance had just been elected to the US Senate.

From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026

The tension between the two men became starker in 1953 when President Eisenhower, during his first two years in office, had to deal with Churchill as prime minister.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

He might say, for example, that like the pharaoh of ancient Egypt, the prime minister of South Africa was raising an army.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela