prime minister

noun

1

: the chief minister of a ruler or state

2

: the official head of a cabinet or ministry

especially : the chief executive of a parliamentary government

prime ministerial adjective

prime ministership noun

prime ministry noun

Examples of prime minister in a Sentence

the Prime Minister of England

Recent Examples on the Web

Japan’s prime minister has joined more than 50 of her fellow female legislators to push for more ladies’ toilets in parliament, saying recent increases in women’s representation have led to long queues for the bathroom. —Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 1 Jan. 2026

Although the number of women politicians rose in the last election -- and despite Takaichi becoming the first female prime minister in October -- Japanese politics remains massively male-dominated. —CBS News, 31 Dec. 2025

Others, like pop star Katy Perry and former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, go Instagram official only after a former Japanese prime minister spills the beans about their relationship by posting a photo with the pair. —Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025

Canadian banker Mark Carney succeeded Trudeau as prime minister, allowing their Liberal Party to hold onto power in the federal election in April. —Kyler Alvord, PEOPLE, 31 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1655, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for prime minister

• administer
• sinister

Kids Definition

prime minister

noun

: the chief officer of the government in some countries

Legal Definition

prime minister

noun

prime min·​is·​ter

-ˈmi-nə-stər

1

: the chief minister of a ruler or state

2

: the official head of a cabinet or ministry

especially : the chief executive of a parliamentary government

prime ministerial

-ˌmi-nə-ˈstir-ē-əl

adjective

prime ministership noun

prime ministry

-ˈmi-nə-strē

noun