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 Learn More about principle

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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 Letting people register themselves online is a good idea in principle but how well it can be implemented is a big concern, said Becky Lewallen, Washington County Clerk. — Doug Thompson, Arkansas Online, "Online registration proposed for voters," 27 Feb. 2021 Perry once again spoke up for the Texas principle of independence from federal oversight, ignoring how much its vaunted independence had just cost in lives and destruction. — Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, "Column: The Texas crisis reminds us that ‘natural’ disasters are almost always manmade," 22 Feb. 2021 Unelected heads of government are in principle a snub to democracy. — The Economist, "From banker to prime minister Mario Draghi gives Italy another chance," 20 Feb. 2021 But the paper itself, at least in principle, seems sound. — Quanta Magazine, "In Violation of Einstein, Black Holes Might Have ‘Hair’," 11 Feb. 2021 But like every other gene-manipulation method, CRISPR works better in principle than in practice. — John Horgan, Scientific American, "Premature Freak-Outs about Techno-Enhancement," 23 Jan. 2021 The New York Jets have reached an agreement in principle with San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh to become their new head coach. — Steve Gardner, USA TODAY, "New York Jets set to hire Niners' Robert Saleh as head coach," 15 Jan. 2021 State health officials agreed with the idea in principle — because age is one of the strongest risk factors for severe COVID-19 and deaths — but worried about expanding access to a level that far exceeds the available supply of doses. — Jeremy Olson, Star Tribune, "Minnesota's COVID vaccine supply reaches 558K," 13 Jan. 2021 Trump is doing this for the principle, not just for power. — Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, "Why Representative Mike Johnson Thinks That the Election Isn’t Over," 15 Dec. 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.