principal
3 ENTRIES FOUND:
Britannica Dictionary definition of PRINCIPAL
always used before a noun
:
most important
:
chief
-
Vegetables are the principal ingredients in this soup.
-
My principal [=main] reason for moving is to have a shorter drive to work.
-
She is the principal cellist of the orchestra.
-
He is principally [=chiefly, mainly] known as a composer.
2
principal
/ˈprɪnsəpəl/
noun
plural
principals
2
principal
/ˈprɪnsəpəl/
noun
plural
principals
Britannica Dictionary definition of PRINCIPAL
[count]
1
a
US
:
the person in charge of a public school
-
the new high school principal
b
British
:
the person in charge of a university or college
2
:
an amount of money that is put in a bank or lent to someone and that can earn interest
— usually singular
-
Our monthly mortgage payment covers the interest on our loan as well as some of the principal.
3
a
:
the main performer in a group of performers
-
The ballet featured the two principals. [=lead dancers]
b
:
the most important person in a group
-
One of the principals in the assassination plot has been arrested.
◊ Do not confuse principal with principle.
