prince

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

princeship

2 of 2

noun (2)

prince·​ship ˈprin(t)sˌship How to pronounce princeship (audio)
-nˌsh-
1
: the dignity or position of a prince
2
: the period during which a prince (as an heir apparent) is such

Synonyms of prince

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Noun (1)

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Examples of prince in a Sentence

Noun (1) a neighborhood in which the city's merchant princes built palaces that shamelessly celebrated their wealth
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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.
Noun
Amin also accompanied the crown prince on his visit to Washington last year, where the governments of the two countries announced a strategic AI partnership. — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2026 However, a few of us would slope off to try and interact with the prince and his starlet. — Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026 The prince, Ashitaka, encounters a forest-dwelling young woman called San on his journey and the two become friends, teaming up to help save the forest and end his curse. — Kara Nesvig, Parents, 29 Aug. 2026 At the time, there was a fear that the Germans might attempt to depose Haakon VII and turn the young prince into a puppet king. — Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prince

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

Noun (2)

prince + -ship

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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

princ
prince
prince's feather
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Cite this Entry

“Prince.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prince. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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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

Noun

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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about prince

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