1
a
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 noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Amid Warnings Tears as Amal Clooney Honors Girl Who Rejected 'Child Bride' Path The young prince was enthusiastically greeting royal fans at the start Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations when Charlotte reached over to pull his hand down. Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025 The prince had problems reaching Balmoral, as communication with the rest of the family was limited. Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 30 June 2025 When the prince falls from a great height, his knight rescues him on horseback. Jenny Gold, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025 The controversial books include one in which the handsome prince falls in love not with a princess, but with the knight who helps him defeat a dragon. Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 28 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for prince

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of prince was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prince.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prince. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

prince

noun
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

More from Merriam-Webster on prince

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