I. ˈprin(t)-s(ə-)pəl, -sə-bəl adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin principalis, from princip-, princeps
Date: 14th century
1. : most important, consequential, or influential : chief
the principal ingredient
the region's principal city
2. : of, relating to, or constituting principal or a principal
Usage: see principle
• prin·ci·pal·ly -sə-p(ə-)lē, -sə-bə-lē, -splē adverb
II. noun
Date: 14th century
1. : a person who has controlling authority or is in a leading position: as
a. : a chief or head man or woman
b. : the chief executive officer of an educational institution
c. : one who engages another to act as an agent subject to general control and instruction ; specifically : the person from whom an agent's authority derives
d. : the chief or an actual participant in a crime
e. : the person primarily or ultimately liable on a legal obligation
f. : a leading performer : star
2. : a matter or thing of primary importance: as
a.
(1) : a capital sum earning interest, due as a debt, or used as a fund
(2) : the corpus of an estate, portion, devise, or bequest
b. : the construction that gives shape and strength to a roof and is usually one of several trusses ; broadly : the most important member of a piece of framing
Usage: see principle
• prin·ci·pal·ship ˈprin(t)-s(ə-)pəl-ˌship, -sə-bəl- noun