rush hour

noun

: a period of the day when the demands especially of traffic or business are at a peak

Examples of rush hour in a Sentence

We got caught in the morning rush hour.
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.
This becomes the norm at rush hour, or when anybody wants to save a lot of money any time of the day on longer trips. — Brad Templeton, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025 During one recent morning rush hour, the toll from Broward to State Road 836 in Miami flashed $11, then dipped to $9. — Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2025 In the 2020 census, New York had its best result on congressional seats since 1950, losing only one seat and falling just 89 people — the equivalent of a packed subway car during rush hour — short of losing no seats. — Julie Menin, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2025 Around the evening rush hour, isolated thunderstorms will begin to pop up in the Northeast, including New York City. — David Brennan, ABC News, 31 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rush hour

Word History

First Known Use

1878, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rush hour was in 1878

Rhymes for rush hour

See All Rhymes for rush hour

Browse Nearby Words

rush grass
rush hour
rushing
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rush hour.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rush%20hour. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

rush hour

noun
: a period of the day when traffic is very heavy or business is very brisk
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!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

'Blue Moon,' 'Wolf Moon,' and Other Moons to Look for Throughout the Year

10 Scrabble Words Without Any Vowels
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All