1
a
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 noun

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 In 2011, during a golfing excursion, Prince Andrew learns the Daily Mail has a picture of him from 2001 posing alongside then 17-year-old Virginia Giuffre, who says the prince raped her shortly after the photo was taken. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 19 Sep. 2024 But on a dreamlike getaway, the prince meets Odette, a princess who has been transformed into a swan by the powerful sorcerer Rothbart. Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2024 During a dreamlike getaway, the prince meets Odette, a princess who has been transformed into a swan by the powerful sorcerer Rothbart. Mark Peikert, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2024 Where Is Oktoberfest Held? For over 200 years, Oktoberfest in Munich has been held on the Theresienwiese, the large field where the prince and princess said their vows. Rebecca Deurlein, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for prince 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prince.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near prince

Cite this Entry

“Prince.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prince. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

prince

noun
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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!