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 of prince

• tycoon
• magnate
• king
• lord
• monarch
• baron
• lion
• czar

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

Multiple royal watchers have claimed the prince has struggled to move beyond the fallout of his dramatic exit from royal life six years ago, citing professional setbacks and lingering personal tensions. —Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 28 Jan. 2026

In the Bridgerton version, the maid meets her prince (well, her rich guy) at a masked ball, and having only her lower face visible presented a unique challenge to the show’s makeup designer, Nic Collins. —Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 27 Jan. 2026

The arrival of the Targaryen princes is a big deal for the town of Ashford and the knights and lords and ladies assembled there. —Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026

Edward is the second sibling of King Charles revealed to pay a peppercorn rent, after The Times reported in 2025 that disgraced former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor paid one at Royal Lodge. —Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 25 Jan. 2026

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

Rhymes for prince

• mince
• quince
• rinse
• since
• wince
• convince
• evince

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