Main Entry:

¹prin·ci·pal

Pronunciation:

\ˈprin(t)-s(ə-)pəl, -sə-bəl\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin principalis, from princip-, princeps

Date:

14th century

1 : most important, consequential, or influential : chief <the principal ingredient> <the region's principal city> 2 : of, relating to, or constituting principal or a principal

usage see principle

— prin·ci·pal·ly \-sə-p(ə-)lē, -sə-bə-lē, -splē\ adverb