first principle
Americannoun
noun
-
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.
Ministers will be expected to justify why powers should remain in Whitehall rather than being devolved, under a "local first" principle.
From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026
As in medicine, the first principle of policymakers is “do no harm.”
From Barron's ● Apr. 30, 2026
The first principle of economics is: Don’t transfer income by distorting prices.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 31, 2026
The first principle is that the president normally should not be using the military to engage in domestic law enforcement.
From Slate ● Sep. 3, 2025
The principles were Blindness, Loneliness, and Terror, the first principle necessarily and actively cultivated in order to deny the two others.
From "The Fire Next Time" by James Baldwin
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
