principle

noun

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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 More Example Sentences Phrases Containing principle Learn More About principle

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.

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 And in the elder Bork’s view, famously set out in his book, The Antitrust Paradox (1978), consumer welfare was (to oversimplify) the underlying principle that made sense of our antitrust law. — Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 7 May 2022 The entrepreneur behind Tesla and SpaceX has also made a point of asserting that free speech should be Twitter’s governing principle. — Stephen Humphries, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 May 2022 This seems to be the Administration’s guiding legal principle. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, 3 May 2022 Transparency is the basic principle to follow in such moments. — Ari Rabin-havt, The New Republic, 28 Apr. 2022 This is an important principle that all government policy-makers could take to heart. — Paul Hsieh, Forbes, 26 Apr. 2022 Blending into the natural environment was the core design principle for the Ritz-Carlton, Nikko. — Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2022 The universality of human nature — the equal dignity of us all that is the key principle of the American project — means that, freed from the shackles of oppression, all nations could live freely, peacefully, and prosperously. — Shay Khatiri, The Week, 26 Mar. 2022 Both are the same basic principle of a wing both on top and bottom, but have a very different feel. — Bella Cacciatore, Glamour, 18 Mar. 2022 See More

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.