Sample sentences for PRINCIPLE

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Definition

a basic rule or belief

The exact meaning of principle can depend upon its context. For example:

"our guiding principles" — basic moral beliefs that guide decisions and behavior
"electromagnetic principles" — rules describing how the world works
"She lacks principles." — lacks moral guidelines
"We agree in principle." — about important basic beliefs

See a comprehensive dictionary for more specialized senses including one in chemistry.

I accept as a basic principle that all people are precious and should be treated with equal dignity.

principle = belief

principles = beliefs or rules

She lacks principles. Her belief system depends on what advantages her in any given situation.

principles = moral rules that guide behavior

Basic rocketry principles indicate that our rocket should exceed an altitude of one mile, but we won't know that it works until we test it.

principles = natural rules describing how the world works

principle = in basic belief

principle = rule or belief

Not that we'd ever done anything, it was the principle of the thing.
Harper Lee -- To Kill a Mockingbird

principle = basic belief about what is right

For example, it's against my principles to do my daughter's homework for her.
Katherine Applegate -- The One and Only Ivan

principles = basic rules or beliefs of what is right

Cherry had said she wouldn't drink Dally's Coke if she was starving, and she meant it. It was the principle of the thing. But Marcia saw no reason to throw away a perfectly good, free Coke.
S.E. Hinton -- The Outsiders

principle = basic rule or belief

principle = basic rule or belief

He was a year older than I, and I avoided him on principle: he enjoyed everything I disapproved of, and disliked my ingenuous diversions.
Harper Lee -- To Kill a Mockingbird

principle = as a general rule

There is something in the universe — I don't know, some spirit, some principle — that you will never overcome.
George Orwell -- 1984
Then what is it, this principle that will defeat us?
George Orwell -- 1984
A too rigid equality in rations, Squealer explained, would have been contrary to the principles of Animalism.
George Orwell -- Animal Farm
But this state of affairs is not necessarily permanent, nor is it a matter of principle.
George Orwell -- 1984
In principle, membership of these three groups is not hereditary.
George Orwell -- 1984
But this would violate the principle, followed on all sides though never formulated, of cultural integrity.
George Orwell -- 1984
In principle the war effort is always so planned as to eat up any surplus that might exist after meeting the bare needs of the population.
George Orwell -- 1984
We disbelieve in the principles of Ingsoc.
George Orwell -- 1984
'Never go home the same way as you went out,' she said, as though enunciating an important general principle.
George Orwell -- 1984

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