What does "principality" mean?
A region or sovereign nation headed by a prince or princess.
Principality
/pɹɪnsɪˈpælɪti/ name, noun
name, noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A region or sovereign nation headed by a prince or princess.
- Grammar: principality is listed as name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: aedileship, ally, andorra, angel.
- Useful contrasts: empire, republic.
- Usage evidence: Andorra is a small principality situated between Spain and France.
How to use "principality"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "principality" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "principality" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "principality" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "principality" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "principality" is acting as name, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "aedileship" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "principality", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A region or sovereign nation headed by a prince or princess. countable
"At this time Russia consisted of a dozen or so principalities, which were frequently at war with one another."
- 2 territory ruled by a prince wordnet
- 3 A spiritual being, specifically in Christian angelology, the third lowest level of angels, ranked above archangels and below powers. countable
- 4 The state of being a prince or ruler; sovereignty, absolute authority. countable, obsolete, uncountable
- 5 The state of being principal; pre-eminence. archaic, countable, uncountable
Proper Noun
- 1 Wales
"The first information I have of a sermon at an association, in the Principality, is in the letter of 1703, which appoints one to be preached the following year."
- 2 Alternative letter-case form of principality; any of the actual extant principalities. alt-of
"The affair led to a crisis in relations between France and the Principality, with the French Government overruling Prince Rainier by refusing to extend the mandate of Monaco's Chief Prosecutor"
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"Andorra is a small principality situated between Spain and France."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "principality"?
Common synonyms include: aedileship, ally, andorra, angel, angel of light, angel of love.
How do you use "principality" in a sentence?
Andorra is a small principality situated between Spain and France.
How do you pronounce "principality"?
Pronounced /pɹɪnsɪˈpælɪti/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English principalte, principalite, from Anglo-Norman principalté, Middle French principalté, from Late Latin prīncipālitās, from Latin prīncipālis (“principal”) + -tās. Equivalent to principal + -ity.
Etymology 2
From the mistaken belief that the Prince of Wales is the country's head of state; the historical Principality of Wales only made up a portion of the country of Wales.