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

ˈprīm-ˌtīm 

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

But more than the promise of offensive fireworks ushers in Week 2 in prime time Thursday. — Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2026

Even if such bots aren’t quite ready for prime time, early adopters hint at how the technology might shape the world in the years to come. — Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 13 Sep. 2026

The Carolina Panthers have an offense that looks ready for prime time. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 13 Sep. 2026

Not ready for prime time The video-generation technology rarely gets the content right on its first try, Sun said, adding that her team takes at least 10 attempts to create a satisfactory 15-second clip. — Ling Wei, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for prime time

• aforetime
• allozyme
• anytime
• christmastime
• cybercrime
• dinnertime
• guggenheim
• isozyme
• lysozyme
• maritime
• mesenchyme
• overtime

Kids Definition

prime time

noun

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