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

Since then, the French leader has churned through four prime ministers, while France’s borrowing costs have risen to levels familiar to Europe’s debt-laden periphery, surpassing those of Greece and Italy.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Israeli prime minister’s office didn’t respond to a question on whether Katz’s comments reflected the government’s official stance.

From The Wall Street Journal

Nielsen, Greenland’s prime minister, responded to the appointment of Landry by seeking to dial down tensions.

From The Wall Street Journal

Greenland's prime minister said the island must "decide our own future" and its "territorial integrity must be respected".

From BBC

Alun Francis, a top adviser to the government, told the Guardian that there was no "overarching narrative" to pull various policy strands together and called on the prime minister to set out a clearer strategy.

From BBC