first principle
Americannoun
noun
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one of the fundamental assumptions on which a particular theory or procedure is thought to be based
-
an axiom of a mathematical or scientific theory
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As in medicine, the first principle of policymakers is “do no harm.”
From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026
The first principle of politics is the opposite.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026
"We hope this ban is only the start of a reckoning between society and the tech companies that built these platforms with growth as their first principle instead of safety."
From BBC • Dec. 11, 2025
"Moving forward, we need to design and optimize materials with sustainability metrics as a first principle."
From Science Daily • Apr. 26, 2024
The first principle of wrestling is to hang on to your opponent come what may, so I clung to Nick's breeches like a leech, though he kicked madly and pummeled my back with his fists.
From "The Shakespeare Stealer" by Gary L. Blackwood
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
