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

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

Etymology

Origin of prime minister

First recorded in 1640–50

Example Sentences

Debbie Abrahams, the Labour MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, said she thought it was a matter of months before Sir Keir would step down as prime minister.

From BBC • May 9, 2026

It feels increasingly like the prime minister is on borrowed time.

From BBC • May 9, 2026

The prime minister of Qatar, a key intermediary, was in Washington Friday to meet Vice President JD Vance to discuss Iran, a source familiar with the matter said.

From Barron's • May 8, 2026

Members of Starmer’s cabinet took to the airwaves Friday to defend their leader and say now isn’t the time to embark on a process to find a new prime minister.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

Winston Churchill, the British prime minister himself, sent warnings based on captured German codes to the Soviet government.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein