prime rate

noun

: an interest rate formally announced by a bank to be the lowest available at a particular time to its most credit-worthy customers

called also prime interest rate

Examples of prime rate in a Sentence

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.
Look at how the prime rate exceeded 20% back in 1980. Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2025 The interest rate for this loan adjusts based on the prime rate and a profit margin added to that rate. Jeff Lazerson, Oc Register, 5 June 2025 The People’s Bank of China trimmed the 1-year loan prime rate to 3.0% from 3.1%, and the 5-year LPR to 3.5% from 3.6%. Anniek Bao, CNBC, 20 May 2025 The People’s Bank of China cut the one-year loan prime rate, the reference rate for pricing all new loans and outstanding floating rate loans, to 3.00% from 3.1%. Matt Ott, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for prime rate

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prime rate was in 1924

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Legal Definition

prime rate

noun
: an interest rate formally announced by a bank to be the lowest available at a particular time to its most creditworthy customers

called also prime, prime interest rate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!