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.
Commentators sided with the worshippers and villainized Lemon, who has been a prominent Trump foe for years, including during his time as a prime time CNN anchor. Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 31 Jan. 2026 Following the takeover, Lemon was moved out of prime time and onto a new morning program — a format where CNN has never been successful over its four-decade-plus history. Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026 Quantum stocks have been a hot trade in recent months, even though the technology won't be ready for prime time for a couple of years. Zev Fima, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026 The growth in prime pushed MS NOW’s prime time average over one million total viewers in January, up 20 percent year-over-year, and outperforming rival network CNN. Mark Joyella, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prime time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prime%20time. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster