prin·ci·pal
ˈprin(t)-s(ə-)pəl 
-sə-bəl
1
: most important, consequential, or influential : chief
the principal ingredient
the region's principal city
2
: of, relating to, or constituting principal or a principal (see principal entry 2)
Principle vs. Principal: Usage Guide
Evidence of confusion between principle and principal can be found even in publications overseen by professional editors. To keep these words straight, remember that principle functions only as a noun, and in its most common uses refers to a basic rule or law, as in
a guiding principle
or
a matter of principle.
If you are looking for an adjective form of this word, you must use principled, as in
taking a principled stand.
Principal functions as both a noun and an adjective. The noun has various meanings referring to someone with controlling authority
the school principal
or in a leading position
the ballet's two principals
, but also has meanings relating to finance, law, and architecture. As an adjective, principal typically means "most important," as in
the principal reason.
prin·ci·pal
ˈprin(t)-s(ə-)pəl
-sə-bəl
1
: a person who has controlling authority or is in a leading position: such as
a
: a chief or head man or woman
b
: the chief executive officer of an educational institution
c
: one who engages another to act as an agent subject to general control and instruction
specifically
: the person from whom an agent's authority derives
d
: the chief or an actual participant in a crime
e
: the person primarily or ultimately liable on a legal obligation
f
: a leading performer : star
2
b
: the construction that gives shape and strength to a roof and is usually one of several trusses
broadly
: the most important member of a piece of framing
Synonyms
Examples of principal in a Sentence
Adjective
If any suspect that Griswold was exaggerating, they should reflect on the fact that the principal Supreme Court case justifying the invocation of the national security privilege was based on a governmental lie.
—
Garry Wills, New York Review of Books, 12 Feb. 2009
Following the agreement, the four principal tobacco companies—Philip Morris, R. J. Reynolds, Brown & Williamson, and Lorillard—raised their prices more than 45 cents per pack. The costs of the settlement, as predicted, were passed on to consumers.
—Allan M. Brandt, The Cigarette Century, 2007
Their principal industry was the manufacture, in a long, low, mostly-wooden, two-story factory, of cold cream.
—Frederick Busch, Too Late American Boyhood Blues, 1984
Vegetables are the principal ingredients in this soup.
She is the principal cellist of the orchestra.
Noun
the new high school principal
One of the principals in the assassination plot has been arrested.
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Garry Wills, New York Review of Books, 12 Feb. 2009
Following the agreement, the four principal tobacco companies—Philip Morris, R. J. Reynolds, Brown & Williamson, and Lorillard—raised their prices more than 45 cents per pack. The costs of the settlement, as predicted, were passed on to consumers.
—Allan M. Brandt, The Cigarette Century, 2007
Their principal industry was the manufacture, in a long, low, mostly-wooden, two-story factory, of cold cream.
—Frederick Busch, Too Late American Boyhood Blues, 1984
Vegetables are the principal ingredients in this soup.
She is the principal cellist of the orchestra.
Noun
the new high school principal
One of the principals in the assassination plot has been arrested.
See More
Recent Examples on the WebSusan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 9 Sep. 2023
If strikes were to stop production at both facilities for a month, a slightly greater proportion — around 7% — of global supply would be wiped out, according to Daniel Toleman, a principal research analyst of global LNG at energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie, who focuses on Asia.
—Mark Thompson, CNN, 8 Sep. 2023
After two of its three buildings were destroyed by the fire, principal Tonata Lolesio created a makeshift school in a church just north of Lahaina.
—Jacqueline Yoo, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2023
In 2021, Woody took back over day-to-day principal owner duties, but Christopher is still involved.
—Michael Stillwell, Town & Country, 7 Sep. 2023
The principal odor map, as the team called it, is unprecedented for the sense of smell.
—IEEE Spectrum, 4 Sep. 2023
The list of terms on the interim agreement covers everything from scheduled breaks to payment for fittings, meal and wardrobe allowances for principal actors and background actors, per diems, rest periods and more.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 31 Aug. 2023
Bill Bartholomay The native Chicagoan bought the Milwaukee Braves franchise in 1962 and, as chairman and principal owner, acted on his wish to move the franchise to a more lucrative situation in Atlanta by 1965.
—Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2023
Eric Brooks, principal data analyst for education at U.S. News, noted that Thomas Jefferson ranked fourth in 2019 and 10th in 2018.
—Karina Elwood, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2023
Christopher Huffaker, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Sep. 2023
The Sun reports that Whitehurst’s abuse was uncovered after teachers came to then-Citrus Valley principal Bernie Cavanagh with concerns about a student whose grades sharply declined.
—Sean Neumann, Peoplemag, 11 Sep. 2023
Rafael Padilla, a principal at Par Commercial Brokerage who has worked on deals on the Westside for 38 years, said that Santa Monica has too much to offer for retail to suffer long term.
—Carly Olson, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2023
Josh Tovar, a high school principal in Texas’s Garland Independent School District, said his campus is seeing a spike in student and staff infections that is depriving some classes of teachers.
—Hannah Natanson, Fenit Nirappil, Maegan Vazquez, Anchorage Daily News, 7 Sep. 2023
The surge in payments is likely because a small share of borrowers was paying down principal on their loans before interest began accruing again on September 1, Phillips said.
—Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 3 Sep. 2023
But now, according to the latest alert from the Internal Revenue Service, such programs also can be used to pay the principal and interest on an employee's qualified education loans.
—Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 1 Sep. 2023
Legacy West principal Mark Masinter said the property’s second largest retail space behind the food hall will be broken up into smaller shops.
—Maria Halkias, Dallas News, 30 Aug. 2023
Many of the alt-right’s principals wound up in jail.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, The New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2023
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Adjective
Loan forgiveness could happen in 12 years, for example, if your original principal balance was $14,000.
—Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 9 Sep. 2023
If strikes were to stop production at both facilities for a month, a slightly greater proportion — around 7% — of global supply would be wiped out, according to Daniel Toleman, a principal research analyst of global LNG at energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie, who focuses on Asia.
—Mark Thompson, CNN, 8 Sep. 2023
After two of its three buildings were destroyed by the fire, principal Tonata Lolesio created a makeshift school in a church just north of Lahaina.
—Jacqueline Yoo, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2023
In 2021, Woody took back over day-to-day principal owner duties, but Christopher is still involved.
—Michael Stillwell, Town & Country, 7 Sep. 2023
The principal odor map, as the team called it, is unprecedented for the sense of smell.
—IEEE Spectrum, 4 Sep. 2023
The list of terms on the interim agreement covers everything from scheduled breaks to payment for fittings, meal and wardrobe allowances for principal actors and background actors, per diems, rest periods and more.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 31 Aug. 2023
Bill Bartholomay The native Chicagoan bought the Milwaukee Braves franchise in 1962 and, as chairman and principal owner, acted on his wish to move the franchise to a more lucrative situation in Atlanta by 1965.
—Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2023
Eric Brooks, principal data analyst for education at U.S. News, noted that Thomas Jefferson ranked fourth in 2019 and 10th in 2018.
—Karina Elwood, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2023
Noun
The complaint made against the City of Boston, Boston Public Schools, Superintendent Mary Skipper, and Burke principal Amilcar Silva claims someone was able to bring a gun into the school, despite the Burke having metal detectors meant to stop weapons from entering.
—Christopher Huffaker, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Sep. 2023
The Sun reports that Whitehurst’s abuse was uncovered after teachers came to then-Citrus Valley principal Bernie Cavanagh with concerns about a student whose grades sharply declined.
—Sean Neumann, Peoplemag, 11 Sep. 2023
Rafael Padilla, a principal at Par Commercial Brokerage who has worked on deals on the Westside for 38 years, said that Santa Monica has too much to offer for retail to suffer long term.
—Carly Olson, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2023
Josh Tovar, a high school principal in Texas’s Garland Independent School District, said his campus is seeing a spike in student and staff infections that is depriving some classes of teachers.
—Hannah Natanson, Fenit Nirappil, Maegan Vazquez, Anchorage Daily News, 7 Sep. 2023
The surge in payments is likely because a small share of borrowers was paying down principal on their loans before interest began accruing again on September 1, Phillips said.
—Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 3 Sep. 2023
But now, according to the latest alert from the Internal Revenue Service, such programs also can be used to pay the principal and interest on an employee's qualified education loans.
—Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 1 Sep. 2023
Legacy West principal Mark Masinter said the property’s second largest retail space behind the food hall will be broken up into smaller shops.
—Maria Halkias, Dallas News, 30 Aug. 2023
Many of the alt-right’s principals wound up in jail.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, The New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'principal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Adjective and Noun
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin principalis, from princip-, princeps
First Known Use
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of principal was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing principal
Dictionary Entries Near principal
Cite this Entry
“Principal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/principal. Accessed 28 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
principal
1 of 2 adjective
prin·ci·pal
ˈprin(t)-s(ə-)pəl
-sə-bəl
: most important : chief
the principal ingredient of the stew
principal
2 of 2 noun1
a
: a leading or most important person
b
: the head of a school
2
: a sum of money that is placed to earn interest, is owed as a debt, or is used as a fund
Legal Definition
principal
1 of 2 adjective
prin·ci·pal
ˈprin-sə-pəl
1
: being the main or most important, consequential, or influential
their principal place of business
the principal obligor
2
: of, relating to, or constituting principal or a principal
the principal amount of the loan
principal
2 of 2 noun1
: a participant in an action or transaction especially having control or authority
the principals of a business
: as
a
: one who engages another to act for him or her subject to his or her general control or instruction : one from whom an agent derives authority to act compare fiduciary
b
: one who commits a crime or instigates, encourages, or assists another to commit it especially when constructively or actually present see also accessory sense 1
—
principal in the first degree
: a principal under common law who intentionally commits and is actually or constructively present at the commission of a crime
—
principal in the second degree
: a principal under common law who aids, encourages, or commands another to commit a crime and is actually or constructively present when it is committed
c
: the person primarily liable on a legal obligation or one who will ultimately bear the burden because of a duty to indemnify another as distinguished from one (as an endorser, surety, or guarantor) who is secondarily liable
2
: a capital sum earning interest, due as a debt, or used as a fund
shall receive the income from the trust until age 18, and thereafter the principal
payments shall be applied first to interest and then to principal
also
: the main body of an estate, devise, or bequest
More from Merriam-Webster on principal
Nglish: Translation of principal for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of principal for Arabic Speakers
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