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

Speaking at London Tech Week, the prime minister said: "This is not an impossible challenge. These are some of the most innovative companies in the world and I believe they can solve it."

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

Pressure has been mounting on the prime minister after a historically bad set of election results last month, in which Labour lost control of the Welsh Senedd, as well as nearly 1,500 councillors in England.

From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026

Tuvalu's prime minister voiced disappointment Friday over the island nation's fossil fuel holdings, after AFP revealed a trust fund for the climate change-threatened state had invested in oil and coal.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

“I’m not sure I’ve ever served the king,” said the king’s prime minister.

From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin