principle Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct
    rule.
    • their principles of composition characterized all their works
  2. noun a rule or standard especially of good behavior
    • a man of principle
    • he will not violate his principles
  3. noun a basic truth or law or assumption
    • the principles of democracy
  4. noun a rule or law concerning a natural phenomenon or the function of a complex system
    rule.
    • the principle of the conservation of mass
    • the principle of jet propulsion
    • the right-hand rule for inductive fields
  5. noun rule of personal conduct
    precept.
  6. noun (law) an explanation of the fundamental reasons (especially an explanation of the working of some device in terms of laws of nature)
    rationale.
    • the rationale for capital punishment
    • the principles of internal-combustion engines

WordNet

Prin"ci*ple noun
Etymology
F. principe, L. principium beginning, foundation, fr. princeps, -cipis. See Prince.
Definitions
  1. Beginning; commencement. Obs.
    Doubting sad end of principle unsound. Spenser.
  2. A source, or origin; that from which anything proceeds; fundamental substance or energy; primordial substance; ultimate element, or cause.
    The soul of man is an active principle. Tillotson.
  3. An original faculty or endowment.
    Nature in your principles hath set [benignity]. Chaucer.
    Those active principles whose direct and ultimate object is the communication either of enjoyment or suffering. Stewart.
  4. A fundamental truth; a comprehensive law or doctrine, from which others are derived, or on which others are founded; a general truth; an elementary proposition; a maxim; an axiom; a postulate.
    Therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection. Heb. vi. 1.
    A good principle, not rightly understood, may prove as hurtful as a bad. Milton.
  5. A settled rule of action; a governing law of conduct; an opinion or belief which exercises a directing influence on the life and behavior; a rule (usually, a right rule) of conduct consistently directing one's actions; as, a person of no principle.
    All kinds of dishonesty destroy our pretenses to an honest principle of mind. Law.
  6. (Chem.) Any original inherent constituent which characterizes a substance, or gives it its essential properties, and which can usually be separated by analysis; -- applied especially to drugs, plant extracts, etc.
    Cathartine is the bitter, purgative principle of senna. Gregory.
Prin"ci*ple transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Principled ; present participle & verbal noun Principling
Definitions
  1. To equip with principles; to establish, or fix, in certain principles; to impress with any tenet, or rule of conduct, good or ill.
    Governors should be well principled. L'Estrange.
    Let an enthusiast be principled that he or his teacher is inspired. Locke.

Webster 1913