# prime minister

idiom · CEFR B1

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/prime-minister
Updated: 2026-04-22

## Meaning

the person who leads the government in many countries.

## Examples

- The prime minister speaks to the country on television tonight.
- After winning the national election, the new prime minister promised to improve the healthcare system for all citizens.
- Following the sudden resignation of the cabinet, the prime minister faced intense pressure to call for a general election to restore public confidence in the government.

## Origin

First recorded in English as a calque of the French *premier ministre*.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.