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

Trains are expected to arrive every 4 to 5 minutes during morning rush hour, according to WMATA. — Mike Stunson, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026

The attack was carried out just blocks away from the local prosecutor's office during rush hour. — ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026

Service was restored on the 4, 5, and 6 lines in time for the morning rush hour commute and is operating normally, the MTA tells PEOPLE. — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 4 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