Definition

1. Noun:
   • A fundamental truth, law, or assumption: A basic idea or rule that forms the foundation for a system of belief, behavior, or reasoning.
   • A rule of personal conduct or good behavior: A moral standard or code that guides a person's actions.
   • A scientific law or rule explaining the working of a natural phenomenon or device: The fundamental reason or law governing how something in nature or a machine functions.
   • A basic generalization accepted as true: A foundational concept used as a basis for reasoning or conduct in a particular field.

Usage Examples

• As a fundamental truth or law:
  • Democracy is based on the principle of majority rule.
  • The principle of supply and demand governs the market.
• As a rule of personal conduct:
  • She is a woman of strong moral principles.
  • He refused to lie on principle.
• As a scientific law:
  • Archimedes' principle explains buoyancy.
  • The engine operates on the principle of internal combustion.

Advanced Usage

• In principle: Agreeing with or accepting the general idea of something, though details may need to be worked out.
  • We agree in principle, but the contract needs more work.
• As a matter of principle: Done because of one's moral or ethical beliefs, regardless of the consequences.
  • He resigned as a matter of principle after the scandal.

Variants and Related Words

• Principal (adj/noun):
• Principled (adj): Behaving according to one's moral principles.
  • He made a principled decision to tell the truth.

Synonyms

• Doctrine: A belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a group.
• Tenet: A principle or belief, especially one of the main principles of a religion or philosophy.
• Axiom: A statement or proposition which is regarded as being established, accepted, or self-evidently true.
• Precept: A general rule intended to regulate behavior or thought.

Related Phrases

• First principles: The fundamental concepts or assumptions on which a theory, system, or method is based.
  • Let's go back to first principles to solve this problem.
• Guiding principle: A rule or belief that influences one's actions and decisions.
  • Honesty is my guiding principle.

Idioms

• Principle of the thing: Used to emphasize that one's objection or action is based on morality or correctness, not on practical details.
  • It's not about the money; it's the principle of the thing.

Noun

1. (law) an explanation of the fundamental reasons (especially an explanation of the working of some device in terms of laws of nature)
   • the rationale for capital punishment
   • the principles of internal-combustion engines
2. rule of personal conduct
3. a rule or law concerning a natural phenomenon or the function of a complex system
   • the principle of the conservation of mass
   • the principle of jet propulsion
   • the right-hand rule for inductive fields
4. a basic truth or law or assumption
   • the principles of democracy
5. a rule or standard especially of good behavior
   • a man of principle
   • he will not violate his principles
6. a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct
   • their principles of composition characterized all their works