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prime minister

/praɪm ˌmɪnəstər/
/praɪm ˈmɪnɪstə/
IPA guide

Other forms: prime ministers

A prime minister is the elected leader of a government. In 1960, the Sri Lankan politician Sirimavo Bandaranaike was the first woman to be elected prime minister of any country.

One major difference between presidents and prime ministers is that a president is officially "head of state," while a prime minister is "head of government." In monarchies like the United Kingdom, the prime minister serves the Queen, the actual head of state (although that's become a ceremonial position over time). Countries that were once monarchies, like Germany, have both a president and a prime minister, though the latter holds the real power.

Definitions of prime minister
  1. noun
    the person who is head of state (in several countries)
    synonyms: chancellor, premier
    see moresee less
    types:
    taoiseach
    the prime minister of the Irish Republic
    type of:
    chief of state, head of state
    the chief public representative of a country who may also be the head of government
Pronunciation
US
/praɪm ˌmɪnəstər/
UK
/praɪm ˈmɪnɪstə/
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