principal

A2
Pronunciation
/ˈpɹɪnsəpəl/
/ˈpɹɪnsəp̬əl/
Noun
13 definition(s)
1 Definition

The money originally invested or loaned, on which basis interest and returns are calculated.

Example Sentences
  • A portion of your mortgage payment goes to reduce the principal, and the rest covers interest.
2 Definition

The chief administrator of a school.

3 Definition

The chief executive and chief academic officer of a university or college.

4 Definition

A legal person that authorizes another (the agent) to act on their behalf; or on whose behalf an agent or gestor in a negotiorum gestio acts.

Example Sentences
  • My principal sells metal shims.
5 Definition

The primary participant in a crime.

6 Definition

A partner or owner of a business.

7 Definition

A diapason, a type of organ stop on a pipe organ.

8 Definition

The construction that gives shape and strength to a roof, generally a truss of timber or iron; or, loosely, the most important member of a piece of framing.

9 Definition

The first two long feathers of a hawk's wing.

10 Definition

One of the turrets or pinnacles of waxwork and tapers with which the posts and centre of a funeral hearse were formerly crowned.

11 Definition

An essential point or rule; a principle.

12 Definition

A dancer at the highest rank within a professional dance company, particularly a ballet company.

13 Definition

A security principal.

Adjective
2 definition(s)
1 Definition

Primary; most important; first level in importance.

Example Sentences
  • Smith is the principal architect of this design.
2 Definition

(Latinism) Of or relating to a prince; princely.