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 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Bears and Packers played in prime time once annually from 2006 through 2022, a span of 17 consecutive seasons, before playing only afternoon games in 2023 and 2024. Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 12 May 2025 So why not get it in prime time after Detroit and the Cowboys host games earlier in the day? Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 12 May 2025 Look for all of those games in prime time or to be broadcast to a large portion of the country. Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 12 May 2025 The notion of a singular tentpole was always a bit of an illusion anyway, even during the early days of the first Trump Administration, when Maddow was No. 1 in prime time and perhaps at the apogee of her cultural relevance, for better or worse. Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for prime time

Word History

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of prime time was in 1947

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Cite this Entry

“Prime time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prime%20time. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

prime time

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

More from Merriam-Webster on prime time

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