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.
Saudi Arabia launched a high-profile effort to stamp out corruption in 2017 with the detention of princes, government ministers, and business moguls at the Ritz-Carlton in Riyadh, recovering over $100 billion in assets. Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2025 At the end of their version of Cinderella, the tragic stepsisters cut off the backs of their heels to try to fit into the glass slipper; the prince only notices the deception when their stockings fill with blood. Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 3 Oct. 2025 James pointed out that Tindall pulled George into a hug and kissed him on the head while the prince and his siblings were greeting well-wishers. Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 2 Oct. 2025 The prince showed candor rarely seen in public. Max Foster, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 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 8 Oct. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!