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

The prime minister said the changes would apply to both existing and newly-sold smartphones and tablets in the UK.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

President Lee on Sunday named Han Seong-sook, a former Naver chief executive and the country’s minister for small businesses and startups, as prime minister.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

When that was reported, opposition politicians started to push the prime minister for a national inquiry.

From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026

Tens of thousands of schoolchildren would be sitting in their classes, gathered around their new Stormbreakers, waiting for the moment—at midday exactly—when the prime minister would press the button and bring them on-line.

From "Stormbreaker" by Anthony Horowitz