Dictionary

The money originally invested or loaned, on which basis interest and returns are calculated.

Example: A portion of your mortgage payment goes to reduce the principal, and the rest covers interest.

The chief administrator of a school.

The chief executive and chief academic officer of a university or college.

A legal person that authorizes another (the agent) to act on their behalf; or on whose behalf an agent or gestor in a negotiorum gestio acts.

Example: My principal sells metal shims.

Primary; most important; first level in importance.

Example: Smith is the principal architect of this design.

(Latinism) Of or relating to a prince; princely.