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

The latter cover the landscape in the Algarve in late winter; legend has it that the pale pink, almost white, almond trees were planted many centuries ago by a Moorish prince for his homesick Nordic bride to resemble snow. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Aug. 2026

The prince and his wife have been estranged from the royal family but are now returning to England with their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5. — Steve Hendrix, Washington Post, 20 Aug. 2026

Meghan has also shared rare glimpses of Archie's childhood, including a sweet video in April of the young prince hitting the slopes alongside his dad, Prince Harry. — Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026

The prince has lost a series of lawsuits against the media, including one against the publisher of the Daily Mail, which concluded last month. — Danica Kirka, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 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