prime minister

American  

noun

prime ministers plural

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• prime ministers
  plural

Etymology

Origin of prime minister

First recorded in 1640–50

Example Sentences

The long-awaited defence investment plan will be published ahead of next month's Nato summit, Downing Street has said, despite Sir Keir Starmer's resignation as prime minister.

From BBC • Jun. 23, 2026

Andy Burnham, expected to become Britain's next prime minister after Keir Starmer resigned, has set out to reassure investors concerned that state spending and debt could rise under his leadership.

From Barron's • Jun. 23, 2026

Burnham is set to receive briefings from civil servants on taking over as prime minister, as part of Sir Keir's promise to ensure "orderly" transition of power.

From BBC • Jun. 23, 2026

"The prime minister said he would seek to make the transition as easy as possible, giving his full support to whoever followed in his footsteps," a government readout of the meeting said.

From Barron's • Jun. 23, 2026

In my cross-examination of Mr. Barnard I first read the court the letter I sent requesting that the prime minister call a national convention for all South Africans to write a new nonracial constitution.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela