premium

American  

[pree-mee-uhm] / ˈpri mi əm /

noun

1. a prize, bonus, or award given as an inducement, as to purchase products, enter competitions initiated by business interests, etc.

2. a bonus, gift, or sum additional to price, wages, interest, or the like.

   Synonyms:

   reward

3. Insurance. the amount paid or to be paid by the policyholder for coverage under the contract, usually in periodic installments.

4. Economics. the excess value of one form of money over another of the same nominal value.

5. a sum above the nominal or par value of a thing.

6. the amount paid to the lender of stock by the borrower, typically a short seller.

7. the amount the buyer of a call or put option pays to the seller, quoted in dollars per share of stock.

8. a fee paid for instruction in a trade or profession.

9. a sum additional to the interest paid for the loan of money.

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adjective

1. of exceptional quality or greater value than others of its kind; superior.

   a wine made of premium grapes.

2. of higher price or cost.

3. of or relating to premiums.

   to work in premium sales.

idioms

1. at a premium,

   1. at an unusually high price.

   2. in short supply; in demand.

      Housing in that area is at a premium.

premium British  

/ ˈpriːmɪəm /

noun

1. an amount paid in addition to a standard rate, price, wage, etc; bonus

2. the amount paid or payable, usually in regular instalments, for an insurance policy

3. the amount above nominal or par value at which something sells

4. 1. an offer of something free or at a specially reduced price as an inducement to buy a commodity or service

   2. ( as modifier )

      a premium offer

5. a prize given to the winner of a competition; award

6. an amount sometimes charged for a loan of money in addition to the interest

7. great value or regard

   to put a premium on someone's services

8. a fee, now rarely required, for instruction or apprenticeship in a profession or trade

9. 1. in great demand or of high value, usually because of scarcity

   2. above par

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premium More Idioms  

1. see at a premium; put a premium on.

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Related Words

See bonus.

Other Word Forms

• nonpremium noun
• superpremium adjective

Etymology

Origin of premium

First recorded in 1595–1605, premium is from the Latin word praemium profit, reward

Explanation

Something that's premium is much better than average — it's excellent, in fact. A premium seat at a rock concert is right up front, with a great view of the stage. When premium is a noun, it means the money you pay each month for your car insurance or a charge that's added on top of a standard payment. It also means a prize or reward. As an adjective, premium implies something of superior quality that probably costs more too. Premium comes straight out of Latin, meaning “reward.” It was first used as an adjective around 1925, in the phrase "premium butter."

Example Sentences

The expiry of Bank Negara Malaysia’s cap on medical insurance premium hikes by end-2026 could also provide further upside, he reckons.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

There are now substantial areas in the world where there is a war-zone insurance premium.

From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026

Coltman also makes the point that the basis trade in Strategy was popular when it was at a large premium to net asset value, or NAV, and Strategy was issuing common stock to purchase bitcoin.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026

Nearby rental and hotel accommodations notably surge during Coachella’s two weekends, with the average Indio Airbnb asking for $1,200 a night — a 109% premium — during Coachella Weekend 2.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

It was an insurance policy, typically on a corporate bond, with semiannual premium payments and a fixed term.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

Related Words

• dividend
• fee
• stock
• value