rush hour

noun

: a period of the day when the demands especially of traffic or business are at a peak

Examples of rush hour in a Sentence

We got caught in the morning rush hour.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Charlotte Department of Transportation conducted a traffic study in October 2021 which logged more than 1,800 vehicles on Shopton Road West during peak rush hour. — Charlotte Observer, 21 Aug. 2026

Congestion is at record levels and, since the pandemic, it’s no longer confined to the morning and evening rush hours. — Sara "kraut" Gregory, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026

The simulations assumed a traffic density of 50-70 vehicles per kilometer—not rush hour but not light traffic either. — IEEE Spectrum, 20 Aug. 2026

The 5 Freeway was initially closed in both directions around the fire, snarling rush hour traffic. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1878, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for rush hour

• bower
• cower
• dour
• flour
• flower
• fower
• glower
• our
• power
• scour
• shower
• sour

Kids Definition

rush hour

noun

: a period of the day when traffic is very heavy or business is very brisk