principle

noun

Save Word

prin·ci·ple | \ ˈprin(t)-s(ə-)pəl

, -sə-bəl \

Definition of principle

1a : a comprehensive and fundamental law, doctrine, or assumption

b(1) : a rule or code of conduct

(2) : habitual devotion to right principles a man of principle

c : the laws or facts of nature underlying the working of an artificial device

2 : a primary source : origin

3a : an underlying faculty or endowment such principles of human nature as greed and curiosity

b : an ingredient (such as a chemical) that exhibits or imparts a characteristic quality

4 capitalized, Christian Science : a divine principle : god

in principle

: with respect to fundamentals prepared to accept the proposition in principle

Principle vs. Principal: Usage Guide Principle vs. Principal More Example Sentences Learn More about principle

Keep scrolling for more

Principle vs. Principal

Yes, these two words are confusing; we see evidence of the misuse of both in newspapers and books which have been overseen by professional editors, so don’t feel bad if you have trouble with them. Principle only functions as a noun (such as “a comprehensive and fundamental law, doctrine, or assumption”); if you want it to be an adjective you must use the word principled. Principal, on the other hand, may function as a noun (such as the head of a school) or as an adjective (meaning “most important”).

Examples of principle in a Sentence

Urban guerrilla warfare was futile against a thermonuclear superstate that would stop at nothing to defend the profit principle. — Philip Roth, American Pastoral, 1997 Better, of course, to take a higher road, operate on the principle of service and see if things don't turn out better … — Richard Ford, Independence Day, 1995 Pointlessness was life's principle, and it spread its sadness. — Arthur Miller, Timebends, 1987 His investment strategy is based on the principle that the stock market offers the best returns for long-term investors. the basic principles of hydraulics

Recent Examples on the Web Sanders remains devoted to pressing for his core principles: universal health care, higher taxation on the wealthy, a Green New Deal and withdrawing from foreign wars. — Giovanni Russonello, New York Times, "On Politics: We’ll Be Here a While," 19 Mar. 2020 Others, developed subsequently by public health bodies around the world (and also a few companies) have their own tweaks, but their broad principle is the same. — The Economist, "The coronavirus pandemic Developing and deploying tests for SARS-CoV-2 is crucial," 19 Mar. 2020 But to the two world-renowned artists, the Plank House embodied their beloved Bauhaus principles: simplicity, functionality and innovation.... — Belinda Lanks, WSJ, "‘iBauhaus’ Review: The Seeds of the Apple Aesthetic," 6 Mar. 2020 And this public display of her principles have only reminded her fans just how inspiring her outlook truly is. — Zee Krstic, Good Housekeeping, "Kelly Clarkson Responds After Valerie Bertinelli Shuts Down Body-Shamer With One Amazing Tweet," 20 Feb. 2020 Our guiding principle was creating a resource that empowered our songwriters and clients to easily access meaningful, usable and accurate data. — Ed Christman, Billboard, "Universal Music Publishing Group Unveils New 'UMPG Window' Royalty Portal, Mobile App," 18 Feb. 2020 Chavez undertook his fast as a means to rededicate the movement to his own guiding principles. — Kim Kelly, The New Republic, "The Airport Workers Who Starved Themselves in the Super Bowl’s Shadow," 6 Feb. 2020 Mitt Romney, alone with his principles, and Trump, angry, vengeful, and unconstrained by any constitutional threat. — Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, "The Wrenching Truth About Mitt Romney’s Vote Is That It Doesn’t Matter," 6 Feb. 2020 Thus, it has been proved that the existence of spin-2 particles invariably gives rise to the equivalence principle and general relativity. — Quanta Magazine, "Did the Chicken Come First or Is It Turtles All the Way Down?," 6 Feb. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'principle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.