principle Definition
- 1a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior or for a chain of reasoning
- 2a rule or belief governing one's personal behavior
Using principle: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "principle" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The principle of democracy is based on the idea of popular sovereignty.
Example
She refused to compromise her principles.
Example
The company operates on the principle of sustainable development.
Example
He has always been a man of principle.
principle Synonyms and Antonyms
Antonyms for principle
Idioms Using principle
based on a rule or belief that one considers important, even if it causes difficulty or inconvenience
Example
She refused to work for a tobacco company on principle, because she believed it was harmful to people's health.
stick to one's principles
to remain committed to one's beliefs or values, even in difficult or challenging circumstances
Example
Despite pressure from his colleagues, he stuck to his principles and refused to compromise his integrity.
a physical law that states that the path taken by a system between two points in space and time is the path that minimizes the action, which is a mathematical function that describes the system's behavior
Example
The principle of least action is used to derive the equations of motion for particles and fields in physics.
Phrases with principle
a basic assumption or concept that cannot be deduced from any other assumption or concept
Example
The first principle of geometry is that two points determine a straight line.
the practice of interpreting someone's words or actions in the most favorable way possible, given the context and available information
Example
The principle of charity requires us to assume that our opponents are arguing in good faith.
a principle that relates to right and wrong conduct, especially in terms of how it affects others
Example
The moral principle of 'do unto others as you would have them do unto you' is found in many religions.
Origins of principle
from Old French 'principe', from Latin 'principium', meaning 'beginning, source, first principle'
Summary: principle in Brief
The term 'principle' [ˈprɪnsəpl] refers to a fundamental truth or belief that serves as the foundation for a system of thought or behavior. It can also refer to a rule or belief governing one's personal conduct. Examples include 'The principle of democracy is based on the idea of popular sovereignty,' and 'She refused to compromise her principles.' Idioms like 'on principle' denote actions taken based on a rule or belief, while 'stick to one's principles' means to remain committed to one's values despite challenges.
