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

Owned in majority by the government of the principality, the SBM counts LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton among its minority shareholders. —Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2025

Locals will tell you September is the best month to visit the Riviera, and one of the principality’s top chefs, Marcel Ravin, is closing out the summer season in style with a dinner at Elsa at Forbes Travel Guide Recommended The Monte-Carlo Beach. —Lane Nieset, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025

The Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) has said Swiss firms cannot pass off goods as Liechtensteiner by routing them through the principality because they would still be recognized as Swiss in origin. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2025

Liechtenstein is a German-speaking principality landlocked by Switzerland and Austria that is about the same geographic size as Washington, D.C. —Janine Henni, People.com, 29 July 2025

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