first principle

American  

noun

1. any axiom, law, or abstraction assumed and regarded as representing the highest possible degree of generalization.

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first principle British  

noun

1. one of the fundamental assumptions on which a particular theory or procedure is thought to be based

2. an axiom of a mathematical or scientific theory

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

first principle

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

Our first principle, perhaps the most important, is a tribute to my Jewish mother: Meals matter.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 19, 2025

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

“Lay the stones level, that’s the first principle in keeping a wall from shifting and falling down. “The second is to lay the stones one on two, two on one.

From "On the Far Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George

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