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 crown prince, who has been exiled for nearly 50 years, is positioning himself as a potential future leader for Iran, while German Chancellor Merz welcomed the ceasefire extension and urged Islamabad peace talks. —Markus Schreiber, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026

The family marked the occasion by continuing a royal tradition, sharing a new photo of the young prince. —Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026

Maxwell told the teenager her job was to take care of the now-former prince. —Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026

Reza Pahlavi, the crown prince of Iran and opposition leader against the Islamic Republic, was doused with red liquid by a protester following a press conference in Berlin. —Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 23 Apr. 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