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Added 6 October 2026

principal

/ˈpɹɪn.sɪ.pəl/ adjective

In Latin: potissimus Wiktionary

adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about principal at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Primary; most important; first level in importance.
Smith is the principal architect of this design.
Of or relating to a prince; princely.
Chosen or assumed among a branch of possible values of a multi-valued function so that the function is single-valued.
Two is the principal square root of 4. Both −2 and +2 are square roots of 4.

noun

The money originally invested or loaned, on which basis interest and returns are calculated.
A portion of your mortgage payment goes to reduce the principal, and the rest covers interest.
The chief administrator of a school.
The chief executive and chief academic officer of a university or college.

Origin

From Middle English principal, from Old French principal, from Latin prīncipālis.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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