Premium Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

premium

1 of 2

noun

pre·​mi·​um ˈprē-mē-əm How to pronounce premium (audio)
1
a
: a reward or recompense for a particular act
b
: a sum over and above a regular price paid chiefly as an inducement or incentive
c
: a sum in advance of or in addition to the nominal value of something
bonds callable at a premium of six percent
d
: something given free or at a reduced price with the purchase of a product or service
2
: the consideration paid for a contract of insurance
3
: a high value or a value in excess of that normally or usually expected
put a premium on accuracy

premium

2 of 2

adjective

: of exceptional quality or amount
also : higher-priced

Examples of premium in a Sentence

Noun Health insurance premiums went up again this year. The monthly premium for your health insurance is deducted from your paycheck. Many customers are willing to pay a premium for organic vegetables. Adjective lavish feasts at which premium wines flowed freely
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Coleman decided to switch insurance plans to improve his chances and started driving for a ride-share company to pay for higher premiums. Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024 It is estimated that premiums will increase again by more than 50% in 2024. Nikki Beasley, The Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2024 Read More About: Brian Cox, Long Day's Journey Into Night, Patricia Clarkson, Succession Comments ‘Long Day’s Journey Into Night’ Review: Patricia Clarkson Illuminates an Uneven West End Production Wyndham’s Theatre, London; 780 seats; top £95 ($119), top premium £195 ($245). David Benedict, Variety, 3 Apr. 2024 Tickets for the festival's premium screenings (marked with an asterisk below) are $20; $18 for seniors 60 and older, students, educators and military members; and $17 for Milwaukee Film members. Chris Foran, Journal Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2024 There are more than 100 different premium CBD products, including creams, tinctures, gummies, serums, and even pet products. Luke Knapp, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024 It’s being launched in one of the brand’s premium complications, the Royal Oak Flying Tourbillon. Carol Besler, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024 Insurance is absurdly expensive at the moment, and the cost to insure a brand new car will likely be quite high, so make certain to factor insurance premiums into your budget. Logan Carter / Jalopnik, Quartz, 22 Mar. 2024 Getting a Birkin handbag, which can sell from $10,000 at retail to record premiums of $450,000 at auction, directly from its maker is a difficult feat — one often achieved through celebrity status or at least a spending history with Hermès. Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 21 Mar. 2024
Adjective
At the same time, the format’s irresistible mix of gamesmanship and gloss has helped reshape the landscape, fueling both streamers and linear broadcasters’ hunger for high-verve, premium fare. Ben Croll, Variety, 5 Apr. 2024 Central Park has a premium steak house, a sushi joint, and a used Rolex that can be bought for $8,000 on land here proudly offered at $17,000. Gary Shteyngart, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2024 Still, Peterson is convinced the Hornets’ gig is a premium opportunity. Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 4 Apr. 2024 Scania is a premium brand with typically double-digit margins and most of its deliveries in Europe. Rafaela Lindeberg, Fortune Europe, 4 Apr. 2024 Their Dog Chews are made with premium ingredients: flaxseed, chicken liver, sweet potato, and more, and each Chew is combined with 5mg of USDA Organic Full-Spectrum CBD. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024 Spotify is expanding its premium audiobook program to Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand Spotify has been making headway in its goal to become a major player in the audiobook market. Ariel Shapiro, The Verge, 3 Apr. 2024 This is a great option for those with combination sensitive skin looking for a slightly more premium choice, especially for those seeking an eco-conscious, vegan, and cruelty-free brand. Lauren Paige Richeson, Health, 3 Apr. 2024 The Contenders: Rival Premium Large-Format Players Now there are more than 1,000 premium large-format screens in North America, among them Cinemark Theatres’ XD, Regal Cinemas’ RDX and Canadian giant Cineplex’s UltraAVX. Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'premium.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin praemium booty, profit, reward, from prae- + emere to take, buy — more at redeem

First Known Use

Noun

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1844, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of premium was in 1601

Dictionary Entries Near premium

Cite this Entry

“Premium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/premium. Accessed 15 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

premium

1 of 2 noun
pre·​mi·​um ˈprē-mē-əm How to pronounce premium (audio)
1
a
: a reward for an act
b
: a sum over and above a regular or stated price
c
: something given free or at a lower price with the purchase of a product or service
2
: the amount paid for a contract of insurance
3
: a high or extra value
put a premium on accuracy

premium

2 of 2 adjective
: of high quality, value, or price
Etymology

Noun

Latin praemium "booty, profit, reward," from prae- "before" + emere "to take, buy"

Legal Definition

premium

noun
pre·​mi·​um ˈprē-mē-əm How to pronounce premium (audio)
1
: the difference between the face value or par value of a security and its market price when the latter is greater compare discount
2
: the price paid for an insurance contract equal to the cost per unit times the number of units

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