prince

1 of 2

noun (1)

Synonyms of princenext
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

princeship

2 of 2

noun (2)

prince·​ship ˈprin(t)sˌship How to pronounce princeship (audio)
-nˌsh-
1
: the dignity or position of a prince
2
: the period during which a prince (as an heir apparent) is such

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
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.
Noun
Things have not been going well for the former prince Andrew. Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 25 June 2026 African prince Akeem is trading palaces, from his lavish kingdom to Queens in search of a woman who loves him for him. Arushi Jacob, Variety, 24 June 2026 Daeron Targaryen Daeron Targaryen, otherwise known as Daeron the Drunkard, is a bookish and melancholy Targaryen prince known for his prophetic dreams. Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 22 June 2026 Floating on a piece of driftwood, the prince is an easy target for the Triarchy’s arrows. Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for prince

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

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 27 Jun. 2026.

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

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

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