Definition of 'principle'

Word Frequency

principle

(prɪnsɪpəl )

Word forms: principles

1. variable noun

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

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

It's not just a matter of principle.

2. countable noun

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

...a violation of the basic principles of Marxism.

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

3. countable noun

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

These people lack all understanding of scientific principles.

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 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

Word Frequency

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

Word Frequency

Principle in British English

(ˈprɪnsɪpəl )

noun

Christian Science another word for God

Examples of 'principle' in a sentence
principle

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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.