prime time

noun

1
: the time period when the television or radio audience is the largest
also : television shows shown in prime time
2
: the choicest or busiest time
3
: big time sense 2
a pitcher not yet ready for prime time
prime-time adjective

Examples of prime time in a Sentence

The program is being shown during prime time. He's the best actor in prime time.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That explains why the NFL would be inclined to leave the Chiefs-Bills matchup out of prime time. Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2025 Walker’s response that the country saw in prime time on Sunday night was the result of much hard work on himself. Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2025 In the mid-’90s, broadcast networks dominated prime time with megahits like Seinfeld, ER, and The X-Files, whose viewership on Fox peaked at a now-inconceivable 20 million. Judy Berman, Time, 27 Oct. 2025 Smart glasses may finally be ready for prime time, thanks to a pixel smaller than a human hair. Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prime time

Word History

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of prime time was in 1947

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Cite this Entry

“Prime time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prime%20time. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

prime time

noun
: the time in the evening when television has its largest number of viewers

More from Merriam-Webster on prime time

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