prime rate
noun
: an interest rate formally announced by a bank to be the lowest available at a particular time to its most credit-worthy customers
called also prime interest rate
Examples of prime rate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
With a rate cut, the prime rate comes down and the interest rate on your credit card debt should follow within a billing cycle or two.
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Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 10 Dec. 2025
While credit card rates are technically variable and tied to the prime rate, which moves in sync with the Fed's benchmark rate, the reality is that credit card issuers don't treat rate increases and decreases equally.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025
For existing customers, credit cards often have variable rates, which drop after the prime rate falls.
—Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Most credit cards have variable APRs that fluctuate with changes in the prime rate.
—Kevin Cerveny, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prime rate
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Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 10 Dec. 2025
While credit card rates are technically variable and tied to the prime rate, which moves in sync with the Fed's benchmark rate, the reality is that credit card issuers don't treat rate increases and decreases equally.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025
For existing customers, credit cards often have variable rates, which drop after the prime rate falls.
—Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Most credit cards have variable APRs that fluctuate with changes in the prime rate.
—Kevin Cerveny, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prime rate
Cite this Entry
“Prime rate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prime%20rate. Accessed 22 Dec. 2025.
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