SINCE 1828
prime time
nounDefinition of prime time
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
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Other Words from prime time
prime-time
\ ˈprīm-ˌtīm 
\
adjective
\
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
His team is on prime time television (8:15 p.m., ESPN, WKYC Channel 3). — Terry Pluto, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Browns-New York Jets Pregame Scribbles: A big test for Freddie Kitchens, coaching staff," 16 Sep. 2019 Booker had been among the most critical of Biden throughout the week, taking to prime time cable news shows to make his case against the comments made by the former vice president. — CBS News, "South Carolina Democratic voters seem willing to look past party purity tests," 24 June 2019 Expect an electric atmosphere at Cardinal Stadium — a prime time season opener featuring an eager to impress new coach, fresh blackout unis and an opponent who has College Football Playoff potential. — David Close, CNN, "Hurricane Dorian won't wash out a massive sporting weekend," 30 Aug. 2019 That being said, how might Jones react if Dallas is sliding frantically into a game against the Saints in New Orleans on prime time television to close out the month of September? — Conor Orr, SI.com, "Ezekiel Elliott and Jerry Jones Remain Tightly Locked in Contract Dispute," 30 Aug. 2019 On Sunday, Shazier displayed the remarkable progress he’s made in a relatively short period of time before another prime time game. — Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, "Ryan Shazier is making one-handed catches 20 months after serious spine injury," 27 Aug. 2019 Brazil’s prime time soap operas, called novelas, have a long tradition of setting the public debate, and sometimes effecting change, on labor conditions, drug policy and other issues. — Washington Post, "In Bolsonaro’s Brazil, woke soap operas are part of the resistance," 31 July 2019 Growth Energy's ad will run during prime time spots on Fox News in Washington, D.C., and in states across the country. — Lawrence Andrea, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wisconsin in the middle of battle between ethanol producers and oil companies ahead of 2020," 23 July 2019 Rachel Green and Ross Geller, Friends Grab your lobster and dress up as one of the most beloved couples to ever appear on prime time television. — Jennifer Aldrich, Country Living, "20 Best TV Show Costume Ideas for a Small Screen-Inspired Halloween," 23 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'prime time.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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