prince

noun

ˈprin(t)s How to pronounce prince (audio)
Synonyms of princenext
1
a
: monarch, king
b
: the ruler of a principality or state
2
: a male member of a royal family
especially : a son of the sovereign
3
: a nobleman of varying rank and status
4
: one likened to a prince
especially : a man of high rank or of high standing in his class or profession
princeship
ˈprin(t)s-ˌship How to pronounce prince (audio)
noun

Synonyms

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Examples of prince in a Sentence

a neighborhood in which the city's merchant princes built palaces that shamelessly celebrated their wealth
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Despite failing to produce a breakthrough, the meeting illustrated the convening reach of the crown prince and his intention to act as a diplomatic go-between in the Ukraine-Russia war. — Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, The Conversation, 14 Mar. 2025 Recommended Safety As Trump proves unreliable, Europe rushes to firm up defenses on its own Saudi oil also gives the crown prince sway over the global supply of crude and its price. — Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Mar. 2025 The interior toilet was probably reserved for use by the crown prince and his court ladies. — Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2025 His public image reached its nadir with the 2018 slaying of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, believed by the United States and others to be at the prince’s orders. — Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prince

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin princip-, princeps leader, initiator, from primus first + capere to take — more at heave entry 1

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of prince was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing prince

Rhymes for prince

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Browse Nearby Words

prince
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Cite this Entry

“Prince.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prince. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

prince

noun
ˈprin(t)s How to pronounce prince (audio)
1
: monarch sense 1
2
: a son or grandson of a monarch : a male member of a royal family
3
: a nobleman of very high rank
4
: a person of high standing in his class or profession
Etymology

Middle English prince "ruler, king," from early French prince (same meaning), from Latin princip-, princeps "leader, initiator," literally, "one who takes the first part," from primus "first" and capere "to take" — related to prime

More from Merriam-Webster on prince

Nglish: Translation of prince for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about prince

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