Principal: meaning, definitions and examples

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principal

[ ˈprɪnsɪpəl ]

^{Context #1}

school

The person with the highest authority or most important position in a school.

Synonyms

head teacher, headmaster, headmistress

Examples of usage

The principal announced that there would be a school assembly tomorrow morning.
The principal is responsible for making important decisions regarding the school's policies and procedures.

^{Context #2}

finance

The original sum of money invested or loaned.

Synonyms

capital, initial amount

Examples of usage

The principal amount of the loan must be repaid in full by the end of the term.
The principal invested a large sum of money in the new business venture.

^{Context #3}

main

First in order of importance; main.

Synonyms

chief, main, primary

Examples of usage

The principal reason for the project's failure was poor planning.
The principal aim of the organization is to promote environmental awareness.

Translations

Translations of the word "principal" in other languages:

🇵🇹 principal

diretor
chefe

🇮🇳 प्रधान

प्रमुख
प्रधानाचार्य

🇩🇪 Haupt-

Direktor
Schulleiter

🇮🇩 utama

kepala sekolah
direktur

🇺🇦 основний

директор
головний

🇵🇱 główny

dyrektor
naczelny

🇯🇵 主な

校長
主要な

🇫🇷 principal

directeur
chef

🇪🇸 principal

director
jefe

🇹🇷 ana

müdür
baş

🇰🇷 주요한

교장
주요

🇸🇦 رئيسي

مدير
أساسي

🇨🇿 hlavní

ředitel
šéf

🇸🇰 hlavný

riaditeľ
šéf

🇨🇳 主要的

校长
主要

🇸🇮 glavni

direktor
vodja

🇮🇸 aðal-

skólastjóri
yfirmaður

🇰🇿 негізгі

директор
басшы

🇬🇪 ძირითადი

დირექტორი
უფროსი

🇦🇿 əsas

direktor
baş

🇲🇽 principal

director
jefe

Word origin

The word 'principal' originated from the Latin word 'principalis', meaning 'first in importance'. It entered the English language in the 14th century with the sense of 'main' or 'chief'. Over time, it developed various meanings related to authority, finance, and importance. The use of 'principal' in the context of school leadership dates back to the 18th century.