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

"Of course, until yesterday the prime minister was claiming that this leadership had brought order to the chaos of illegal subsidies," it said.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

In that political context, the prime minister has made three big calls, all of them on display at today's press conference.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

Carney, an anglophone who grew up in western Canada, notably laboured to improve his French before running for prime minister last year, and his French ability was the subject of some scrutiny.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

Thailand's king endorsed the new cabinet of second-term Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, with the nephew of jailed ex-leader Thaksin Shinawatra made a deputy prime minister, the Royal Gazette said Tuesday.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

A podium had been set up in the center for Sayle, the prime minister, his press secretary, and the minister of state for education.

From "Stormbreaker" by Anthony Horowitz