prince

noun

ˈprin(t)s 

1

a

: monarch, king

b

: the ruler of a principality or state

2

: a male member of a royal family

especially : a son of the sovereign

3

: a nobleman of varying rank and status

4

: one likened to a prince

especially : a man of high rank or of high standing in his class or profession

princeship

ˈprin(t)s-ˌship 

noun

Synonyms

• baron
• captain
• czar
• tsar
• tzar
• king
• lion
• lord
• magnate
• mogul
• monarch
• Napoleon
• tycoon

Examples of prince in a Sentence

a neighborhood in which the city's merchant princes built palaces that shamelessly celebrated their wealth

Recent Examples on the Web

The Last Emperor of Mexico: The Dramatic Story of the Habsburg Archduke Who Created a Kingdom in the New World Shawcross examines the tragicomic rule of Ferdinand Maximilian, the Habsburg prince whom France briefly imposed on Mexico in the 1860s. —Steven Dudley, Foreign Affairs, 10 June 2024

Though neither prince was in the wedding party, their adorable pint-sized formal attire was too cute not too include. —Alex Apatoff, Peoplemag, 10 June 2024

And for centuries, up until the German revolution of 1918, the historic states of Reuss, now absorbed into the German state of Thuringia, were ruled by Reuss princes. —The Week Uk, theweek, 2 June 2024

The Magic Kingdom's afternoon Festival of Fantasy Parade is a cis-palooza with dancers paired up in hetero couples and many princesses and princes. —Deanne Revel, Parents, 22 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin princip-, princeps leader, initiator, from primus first + capere to take — more at heave entry 1

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing prince

• crown prince
• prince consort
• prince's feather

Kids Definition

prince

noun

ˈprin(t)s 

1

: monarch sense 1

2

: a son or grandson of a monarch : a male member of a royal family

3

: a nobleman of very high rank

4

: a person of high standing in his class or profession

Etymology

Middle English prince "ruler, king," from early French prince (same meaning), from Latin princip-, princeps "leader, initiator," literally, "one who takes the first part," from primus "first" and capere "to take" — related to prime