rush hour

American  

noun

rush hours plural

1. a time of day in which large numbers of people are in transit, as going to or returning from work, and that is characterized by particularly heavy traffic.

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rush hour British  

noun

1. a period at the beginning and end of the working day when large numbers of people are travelling to or from work

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• rush-hour
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• rush hours
  plural

Etymology

Origin of rush hour

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

In the first episode, student Daisy scrambles at rush hour to catch a jeepney, the country's most common form of public transport.

From Barron's • Jun. 30, 2026

There, on a crowded train during the evening rush hour, on the night of a Knicks game, I was surrounded by a nuisance I’ve been meeting all too often lately: backpacks.

From Salon • Jun. 13, 2026

Chamblas found inspiration from footage of falling buildings and Union Station at rush hour.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2026

"I get to avoid the rush hour and being packed in like a sardine," says the 23-year-old in Salford, Greater Manchester.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

It was too early to be out on the road: wait till later, when the rush hour started.

From "The Subtle Knife" by Philip Pullman

Related Words

• congestion
• traffic jam