prime minister

English

Etymology

Latin primus + minister

Noun

prime minister (plural prime ministers)

  1. In a parliamentary democracy, the chief member of the cabinet and head of the government; often the leader of the majority party.
    This is a list of all prime ministers since Churchill.
    Yesterday we had a visit from the Prime Minister / prime minister. (See usage notes below.)

Usage notes

  • When referring to a particular prime minister, prime minister is capitalised according to some style guides, but it should only be capitalised when used before a person's name according to others:
    A The Prime Minister issued a statement today.
    B The prime minister issued a statement today.
    B Prime Minister Johnson issued a statement today.
  • When referring to a prime minister by title and name together, British usage is “the Prime Minister, Tony Blair” or “Tony Blair, the Prime Minister”, while North American usage is “Prime Minister John Doe” or “John Doe, (the) prime minister of Noland” or “John Doe, the prime minister”.

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See also

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