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

Charles ascended to the throne after Queen Elizabeth’s death, marginally moving up Harry and his children with Meghan — the children later received their royal titles of prince and princess. — Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026

That’s partly why the British royal family has recently tried to distance themselves from the disgraced ex-prince, to the point that he was stripped of his titles and evicted from his home at Royal Lodge. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 24 Aug. 2026

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

One royal expert wondered if Harry's desire to spend more time with his father had shifted the prince's priorities after feeling homesick for some time. — Lauryn Overhultz , Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 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