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
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.
She's been linked to everyone from Leonardo DiCaprio to a Saudi prince, and was even married to Donald Trump Jr. for 13 years. Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2025 The former wife of President Donald Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., once allegedly dated a former gang member, a Saudi Arabian prince and Oscar-winner Leonardo DiCaprio. Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025 The prince is disappointed in his offspring — the family has gone to seed. Anthony Paletta, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2025 Stepping away from the charity will be a blow to the prince, as the project is particularly close to his heart. Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prince

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prince.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prince. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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

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