The invention provides a liquid crystal composition satisfying at least one of characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of the nematic phase, a small viscosity, a large optical anisotropy, a large positive dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a high stability to ultraviolet light and a high stability to heat, or provides a liquid crystal composition having a suitable balance regarding at least two of the characteristics. A liquid crystal display device containing such a liquid crystal composition is applied as an AM device having a short response time, a large voltage holding ratio, a large contrast ratio, a long service life and so forth, and thus can be suitably used for a liquid crystal projector, a liquid crystal television and so forth.