principality

noun

prin·​ci·​pal·​i·​ty ˌprin(t)-sə-ˈpa-lə-tē 

plural principalities

1

a

: the state, office, or authority of a prince

b

: the position or responsibilities of a principal (as of a school)

2

: the territory or jurisdiction of a prince : the country that gives title to a prince

3

principalities plural : an order of angels see celestial hierarchy

Examples of principality in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

On this day in 1956, the two-day wedding celebration of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III began in the tiny European principality of Monaco. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Apr. 2026

Monaco’s princess brides leave their bouquets at the Sainte-Dévote Chapel dedicated to the principality’s patron saint. —Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 11 Apr. 2026

The protocol boiled down to the fact that the House of Grimaldi rules Monaco as a principality, not a monarchy, according to fan blog Royal Style Watch. —Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026

Monaco's population of 38,000 is heavily Catholic and multinational, with only a fifth of the population actually citizens of the principality. —CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for principality

• abnormality
• cardinality
• commonality
• communality
• cordiality
• corporeality
• criminality
• criticality
• functionality
• generality
• geniality
• hospitality

Kids Definition

principality

noun

prin·​ci·​pal·​i·​ty ˌprin(t)-sə-ˈpal-ət-ē 

plural principalities

: a small territory that is ruled by a prince