principality
Americannoun
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principalities
plural
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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
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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.
See Examples For:
The 22-year-old Netcompany Ineos rider decided himself to take part in the three-week Grand Tour and was rewarded with a strong performance on a tight and technical course around the principality of Monaco.
From BBC ● Aug. 22, 2026
That sparked a stunning comeback, with Denis Zakaria equalising before substitute Ansu Fati netted the winner with a third goal in the space of 11 second-half minutes for the principality side.
From Barron's ● Feb. 21, 2026
Luis Enrique was asked about those comments after arriving in Monaco on Monday, on the eve of the Champions League play-off first leg against the principality side.
From Barron's ● Feb. 16, 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
As a result, in the space of the year that he held the principality, not only was he secure in the city of Fermo, but he had become feared by all its neighbours.
From "The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli
Local news outlets reported fires have broken out between the Samacá and Cucaita principalities, citing Samacá fire department authorities, who say high temperatures and strong winds have caused rapid spreading of the fires.
From Salon ● Jan. 30, 2024
"Districts of the capital are not separate principalities where you can walk around in white gloves and neglect your duties," he said, adding that he would not tolerate "sabotage".
From Reuters ● Jun. 2, 2023
Under increasing pressure from foreign invaders, India splintered into rival principalities ruled by independent rajas, or princes.
From Textbooks ● Apr. 19, 2023
“There is absolutely nothing you or any of the other powers and principalities can do to stop us.”
From New York Times ● Jul. 8, 2022
All states and all dominions that have had and continue to have power over men have been, and still are, either republics or principalities.
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.
