prime minister

noun

1. the principal minister and head of government in parliamentary systems; chief of the cabinet or ministry.

   the British prime minister.

prime minister

noun

1. the head of a parliamentary government

2. the chief minister of a sovereign or a state

prime minister

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.

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of prime minister¹

First recorded in 1640–50

Example Sentences

It comes days after the prime minister said the UK government could consider pursuing more curbs on protest laws, including targeting some of the chants used at pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

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The deputy also attends the weekly party parliamentary meeting, along with the prime minister, some elected backbenchers and the leader of the House.

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The situation has sharply deteriorated since the start of 2024, when gangs forced then prime minister Ariel Henry to step down.

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The unpopularity of the prime minister and the UK government seems to have dragged Scottish Labour down.

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The challenge has felled two previous prime ministers over the past year, driving up the country’s borrowing costs and stirring investor worries.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal