principle
n. countablen. a basic rule, belief, or idea that explains how something works or how you should behave. It is the foundation that other ideas are built on.
n. a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behaviour, or for a chain of reasoning. Often used to describe a primary law of nature or a core moral value.
The basic principle of the machine is very simple.
The company operates on the principle that happy employees are more productive and creative.
While the mathematical principles underlying the theory are sound, the practical application remains difficult due to the extreme environmental conditions required for the experiment.
Often used in the plural when referring to a person's moral code; frequently follows the preposition 'in' ('in principle') to indicate theoretical agreement.
the school principalthe school principleLearners often confuse 'principle' (a rule) with 'principal' (the head of a school or the most important thing).