principality
Americannoun
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a state ruled by a prince, usually a relatively small state or a state that falls within a larger state such as an empire.
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the position or authority of a prince or chief ruler; sovereignty; supreme power.
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the rule of a prince of a small or subordinate state.
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British. the Principality, Wales.
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Theology. principalities,
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an order of angels.
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supramundane powers often in conflict with God. Ephesians 6:12.
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Obsolete. preeminence.
noun
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a territory ruled by a prince
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a territory from which a prince draws his title
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the dignity or authority of a prince
Etymology
Origin of principality
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English principalite, from Old French, from Late Latin prīncipālitās “first place, superiority” ( Medieval Latin: “authority or territory of a prince”). See principal, -ity
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.
Monaco's problems showed few signs of abating as they drew 0-0 at Le Havre to leave the principality club with just one victory in nine outings, dropping them down into 10th place.
From Barron's • Jan. 24, 2026
Yes, you can enjoy the principality of Monaco, with its casinos, yachts and Grand Prix, without a princely budget.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 10, 2026
F1 moves on to Monaco next weekend, and Hamilton was thinking positively about the famous race on the streets of the principality.
From BBC • May 18, 2025
Joan Verdu, getting a best-ever World Cup result for the tiny principality of Andorra, was third trailing Odermatt by 1.32 seconds.
From Washington Times • Dec. 9, 2023
A principality is brought about either by the common people or by the nobility, depending on which of the two parties has the opportunity.
From "The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli
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.
