Definition of 'principle'

principle

(prɪnsɪpəl )

Word forms: plural principles

1. variable noun [usually poss NOUN, adjective NOUN]

A principle is a general belief that you have about the way you should behave, which influences your behaviour.

Buck never allowed himself to be bullied into doing anything that went against his principles.

...moral principles.

It's not just a matter of principle.

...a man of principle.

2. countable noun [adjective NOUN]

The principles of a particular theory or philosophy are its basic rules or laws.

...a violation of the basic principles of Marxism. [+ of]

The doctrine was based on three fundamental principles.

Synonyms: belief, rule, standard, attitude More Synonyms of principle

3. countable noun [usually adjective NOUN]

Scientific principles are general scientific laws which explain how something happens or works.

These people lack all understanding of scientific principles. [+ of]

...the principles of quantum theory.

Synonyms: rule, idea, law, theory More Synonyms of principle

See in principle

See on principle

More Synonyms of principle

Video: pronunciation of
principle

principle in British English

(ˈprɪnsɪpəl )

noun

a standard or rule of personal conduct

a person of principle

2. (often plural)

a set of such moral rules

he has no principles

adherence to such a moral code; morality

it's not the money but the principle of the thing

torn between principle and expediency

a fundamental or general truth or law

first principles

the essence of something

the female principle

a source or fundamental cause; origin

principle of life

a rule or law concerning a natural phenomenon or the behaviour of a system

the principle of the conservation of mass

an underlying or guiding theory or belief

the hereditary principle

socialist principles

9. chemistry

a constituent of a substance that gives the substance its characteristics and behaviour

bitter principle

10. See in principle

11. See on principle

▶ USAGE Principle and principal are often confused: the principal (not principle) reason for his departure; the plan was approved in principle (not in principal)

Word origin

C14: from Latin principium beginning, basic tenet

Principle in British English

(ˈprɪnsɪpəl )

noun

Christian Science another word for God

principle in American English

(ˈprɪnsəpəl )

noun

the ultimate source, origin, or cause of something

a natural or original tendency, faculty, or endowment

a fundamental truth, law, doctrine, or motivating force, upon which others are based

moral principles

a rule of conduct, esp. of right conduct

such rules collectively

adherence to them; integrity; uprightness

a man of principle

an essential element, constituent, or quality, esp. one that produces a specific effect

the active principle of a medicine

the scientific law that explains a natural action

the principle of cell division

the method of a thing's operation

the principle of a gasoline engine is internal combustion

Idioms:

in principle

on principle

Word origin

ME, altered < MFr principe < L principium: see principium

Examples of 'principle' in a sentence
principle

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

Waddington let him talk, acting on the old principle that one should never commit too soon.I just feel this is a good time to be suspicious on principle.He fumbled after a principle, some general notion of decency to support his instinctive certainty.