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.
That is not the case with the weekend work coming to the Homestead Grays Bridge, which will begin on Thursday and will impact the Friday rush hour. — John Shumway, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 Trying to avoid any rush hour traffic during peak times would mean widening roads and removing the charm of SR 434 in Winter Springs. — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026 Los Angeles ranked 25th worst globally, with drivers losing 83 hours during rush hour annually, while San Francisco had the sixth worst congestion in North America. — Sacbee.com, 9 Sep. 2026 The concierge can be contacted via WhatsApp, but response times can be slow during varying rush hours; for example, a sudden tropical rainstorm might inspire half the resort to call in for room service. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

rush hour

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