peak hour

USAGE SUMMARY

"peak hour" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to the busiest time of day when the most people are using some kind of service. For example: The highway is often backed up during peak hour.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Monday 8am: it's peak hour as I approach the roadside.

The Guardian

He added: "We were quite close at the peak hour.

Independent

A one-way peak hour ticket costs $8.

The New York Times

In addition to the peak hour from 8am, he says, there is now a new peak hour from 1am as people take advantage of cheaper calls.

The Economist

Elijah's death, reported between 8am and 9am on Monday 29 August, occurred during peak hour.

The Guardian

"Going to the grocery store or the bookstore at peak hour results in exactly zero meetings.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Avoid peak hours entirely.

The New York Times

during peak hours.

The New York Times

Noisy at peak hours.

The New York Times

"Just during peak hours".

The New Yorker

At peak hours it's mobbed.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing strategies for managing resources or services, clearly specify the "peak hour" to target interventions effectively. For instance, "To reduce congestion, implement flexible work hours that avoid the morning "peak hour"".

Common error

Avoid using "peak hour" interchangeably with broader terms like "peak season" or "peak period" unless the context truly refers to a specific hour. "Peak hour" refers to the single busiest hour, while other terms encompass longer durations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "peak hour" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as an adjective modifying another noun (e.g., "peak hour traffic"). It denotes a specific period characterized by maximum intensity or activity. As per Ludwig AI, the term is perfectly correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

38%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "peak hour" is a commonly used noun phrase that refers to the hour of the day when activity or demand is at its highest. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It is used across various contexts including news, science and general information. When writing, be mindful of using "peak hour" precisely, distinguishing it from broader periods like "peak season". Related phrases such as "rush hour", "busiest time", and "peak period" can be used depending on the intended meaning and context. Understanding the function and register of "peak hour" enhances clarity in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rush hour

Synonymous; denotes the time when traffic is heaviest.

peak traffic

Specifically refers to the highest volume of traffic, whether it's vehicular or network traffic.

peak period

Similar to "peak hour" but may refer to a longer duration than just one hour.

busiest time

More general; refers to the most active period without specifying an hour.

peak demand

Focuses on the highest level of demand for a product or service.

peak usage

Similar to "peak demand", but emphasizes the act of using something.

prime time

Often used in the context of television or radio broadcasting, indicating the time when the largest audience is available.

peak load

Often used in the context of electricity or energy consumption, indicating the highest demand on the system.

peak season

Refers to the time of year when a particular activity or industry is at its highest point, such as tourism.

high season

Similar to "peak season", specifically in tourism.

FAQs

How can I use "peak hour" in a sentence?

You can use "peak hour" to describe the time when something reaches its highest level of activity. For example, "The subway is most crowded during the morning "peak hour"".

What's the difference between "peak hour" and "rush hour"?

While both refer to times of high activity, "rush hour" typically refers specifically to traffic congestion, whereas "peak hour" can be used in broader contexts, like energy consumption or internet usage.

What are some other ways to say "peak hour"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "busiest time", "peak period", or "prime time".

Is it always necessary to specify "peak hour", or can I just say "peak time"?

Using "peak time" is acceptable if the specific duration (one hour) isn't crucial to the context. However, "peak hour" provides more precision when describing hourly fluctuations.