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principle

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noun British English pronunciation: principle /ˈprɪnsəp(ə)l/ 
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singularprinciple
pluralprinciples
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Related dictionary definitions

  1. 1
    [countable] a basic belief, theory, or rule that has a major influence on the way in which something is done

    Excellent customer service should be our guiding principle.

    principle of:

    It is a basic principle of English law that a person is innocent until proven guilty.

    principle that:

    the principle that education should be free to everyone

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of principle
    1. a.
      [often plural] one of the major ideas or theories that a system of beliefs is based on, for example in religion or politics

      Marxist/Buddhist/democratic principles

      the principles and ideals that the party stands for

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of principle
  2. 2
    [countable] [usually plural] a basic rule or belief about what is right and morally good, that influences the way that you behave and the way that you treat other people

    He seems to have absolutely no principles.

    against someone's principles:

    It was against their principles to join the armed forces.

    stick to/stand by your principles:

    Bennett stuck to his principles, and refused to name the source of his information.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of principle
    1. a.
      [uncountable] morally correct behaviour

      a woman of principle

      on principle:

      We are opposed on principle to any collaboration with terrorists.

      a point/matter/issue of principle:

      There are some basic issues of principle relating to the debate about abortion.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of principle
  3. 3
    [countable] a scientific theory or basic natural law that explains the way in which something works

    Windmills differ in design, but all operate on exactly the same principle.

    Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle

    principle of:

    It was Darwin who first identified the 'principle of female choice'.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of principle

phrase

This is the British English definition of principle. View American English definition of principle.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to American English.

View the pronunciation for principle.

 

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