prince

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

princeship

2 of 2

noun (2)

prince·​ship ˈprin(t)sˌship 

-nˌsh-

1

: the dignity or position of a prince

2

: the period during which a prince (as an heir apparent) is such

Synonyms of prince

Noun (1)

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

Examples of prince in a Sentence

Noun (1)

a neighborhood in which the city's merchant princes built palaces that shamelessly celebrated their wealth

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The prince watched the match from afar, virtually joining the millions of British fans who stayed up all night to watch the game. — Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 15 July 2026

The event will be held in Birmingham, where the prince visited during his short visit to the United Kingdom last week. — Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 15 July 2026

As the noble Don Fabrizio Corbera, prince of Salina, who recognizes his time has passed, Burt Lancaster is beyond praise. — Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 15 July 2026

Leonor and Sofia were too young to attend the 2010 World Cup final in South Africa, but Spain was represented by Felipe, then the crown prince, and Letizia. — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin princip-, princeps leader, initiator, from primus first + capere to take — more at heave entry 1

Noun (2)

prince + -ship

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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

Noun

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