premiumpre·mi·um1 /ˈpriːmiəm/ noun [countableC]1INSURANCE a payment that you make for insuranceSome insurance companies offer small sum policies, with monthly or annual premiums.
single premium life insurance policies
Car insurance premiums shot up by almost a quarter.
→ renewal premium2an additional amount of money, above a standard amount or rateThe company’s earnings will grow by about 25% a year and investors will be willing to pay a premium (=pay more than usual) for that growth.
As long as there is a threat of war in the Middle Eastern oil fields, oil prices will command a premium (=buyers will have to pay more than usual).
→ bond premium → conversion premium → mobility premium → option premium3at a premium if something is at a premium, there is little of it available or it is difficult to obtainWith parking space at a premium in Japanese cities, the microcar is a popular form of transport.
4at a premium (to something) if one thing is sold at a premium to another, it costs morePlatinum usually trades at a premium to gold.
5put/place a premium on something if you put a premium on something, you consider it to be especially valuableEmployers today put a premium on reasoning skills and willingness to learn.