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

It was initially thought that Meghan and the kids would join him, but a public back-and-forth between the prince and palace over security concerns and accommodations left their arrival in question until the very last minute. — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026

All about that plane When Qatar gave the Boeing 747, fit for an Emirate prince, to Trump last year, some observers voiced concerns, both on grounds of security and propriety. — David Folkenflik, NPR, 23 July 2026

Besides the matching outfits, the young princes radiate the same playful energy in their candid photos—taken in 1985 and 2017, respectively. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 22 July 2026

Here's a look at how life will start to change for the teenage prince. — Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 22 July 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