prime time: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to Formal; common in media and business contexts.
Quick answer
What does “prime time” mean?
The time period on television or radio with the largest potential audience, typically the evening hours.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The time period on television or radio with the largest potential audience, typically the evening hours.
Any period or situation characterized by peak activity, importance, visibility, or demand.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spacing: In both, 'prime time' as a noun is standard. As an adjective, hyphenation ('prime-time') is more common in AmE, while BrE sometimes uses an open compound. The core broadcasting hours are similar, but specific start/end times can vary slightly by network.
Connotations
Both share strong associations with major TV networks, high advertising costs, and popular entertainment. In AmE, it is deeply tied to commercial television culture.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in AmE due to the prominence of commercial network television in cultural discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “prime time” in a Sentence
[verb] + prime time: watch, dominate, schedule for, broadcast in, appear during[adjective] + prime time: network, coveted, lucrative, expensiveVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “prime time” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The show was primetime on ITV last night.
American English
- The network will prime-time the new series on Thursdays.
adverb
British English
- The programme airs prime time, right after the news.
American English
- The special is scheduled to run prime time next Sunday.
adjective
British English
- It was a prime-time broadcast watched by millions.
American English
- She's a prime-time news anchor for a major network.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to the most expensive and competitive advertising periods.
Academic
Used in media studies to analyse audience demographics and programming strategies.
Everyday
Talking about when a favourite TV show is on. 'Is that show on in prime time?'
Technical
In broadcasting, precisely defined by networks (e.g., 8-11 p.m. ET).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “prime time”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “prime time”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “prime time”
- Using it as a countable noun without an article (e.g., 'It's a prime time' is wrong; use 'It's prime time'). Confusing 'prime time' (noun) with 'primary time'. Using 'prime time' to mean 'first time'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Traditionally, yes, for television and radio (roughly 7-11 p.m.). Metaphorically, it can refer to any peak period (e.g., 'prime time for holiday sales' in December).
Yes, commonly as 'prime-time' (hyphenated), e.g., 'a prime-time show', 'prime-time advertising rates'.
In broadcasting, they are often synonyms. More broadly, 'peak time' is more general (peak travel time), while 'prime time' retains a strong media/entertainment connotation.
Informally, in media jargon, 'to prime-time' something means to schedule it during prime-time hours, but this is not standard in general English.
The time period on television or radio with the largest potential audience, typically the evening hours.
Prime time is usually neutral to formal; common in media and business contexts. in register.
Prime time: in British English it is pronounced /ˌpraɪm ˈtaɪm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌpraɪm ˈtaɪm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “prime-time player (sports/metaphorical for someone who performs under high pressure or visibility)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of PRIME as meaning 'best quality' (like prime beef) and TIME as the clock. 'Prime Time' = the best quality time for TV.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A COMMODITY (prime time is a valuable, high-cost product to be bought and sold).
Practice
Quiz
In a metaphorical business context, what does 'prime time' most likely refer to?