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

See Examples For:

prime minister

The former prime minister, who has been living in a secret location in India, insisted there was no pressure for her to return.

From Barron's ● Jul. 29, 2026

But the prime minister said "difficult decisions" would have to be made on tax to fund sustainable change, adding that in an "ideal world" no-one should have to sell their home to pay for care.

From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026

Zelensky has declined to reinstate the former defense minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, but has offered him instead the job of a deputy prime minister in charge of military technology.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

LONDON—Britain’s new prime minister arrived in Downing Street last week promising stability for a weary nation bewildered after churning through six leaders in seven years.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

“Lumumba was prime minister of Congo. Do you know where Congo is?”

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie