at a premium

phrase

1

: for a high price

Land in the county is selling at a premium.

Rooms with a view are available, but they come at a premium.

2

: difficult to get because there is little available

We bought bunk beds because space in the apartment is at a premium.

Examples of at a premium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Points could be at a premium against a tough Steelers defense, but Pitts may be able to take advantage of the weaker areas of their defense in the middle of the field. — Jonathan Rubin, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2026

Despite being one of Africa’s largest oil producers, the Dangote Refinery initially struggled to secure enough domestic crude and had to turn to international suppliers at a premium. — Nana Menya Ayensu, semafor.com, 7 Sep. 2026

The oil market remains in backwardation, a phenomenon that occurs where futures contracts with immediate or near-term deliveries sell at a premium over later deliveries, suggesting an expectation that prices will fall over time. — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

More personal advice to a broader range of clients means more time — and time was always at a premium. — Hardy Michel, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026