All 11 Uses

principal
in
In the Unlikely Event
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When the notice had come around at school asking for volunteers, especially teachers who had experience with young children, to chaperone a holiday party at the Elks Club in Elizabeth, Leah thought her principal might be impressed to see what a community-minded young woman she was, willing to give her time on a Sunday afternoon the week before Christmas.†
p. 47.1

principal = most important; or person that is most important
The principal decided the show must go on.†
p. 76.2 *
They had another safety drill before lunch, proving Mr. Royer, the principal, also believed they were jinxed.†
p. 200.4
As principal he has a veto over controversial stories.†
p. 324.3
"She showed it to the principal," Miri continued.†
p. 325.5
But they'd had a different principal, one who'd joked with them.†
p. 334.5
How do you spell principal?†
p. 334.5
Remember the P-A-L on the end because the principal is your pal.†
p. 334.6
Minutes later the principal's voice came over the loudspeaker, telling them it was a hoax.†
p. 391.8
None of them liked Edith Jensen, the vice principal.†
p. 391.9
His wife is an elementary school principal.†
p. 473.3

Definitions:

(1) (principal)
most important; or person who is most important
The exact meaning of principal can depend upon its context. For example:
- "the principal idea" or "the principal performer" -- the most important
- "the principal of the school" -- the person in charge
- "a principal of a company" -- an owner or person with controlling authority
- "the principal in a transaction" (as contrasted to the agent) -- the person on whose behalf an agent acts
(2) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)
See a comprehensive dictionary for specialized senses in finance, architecture, law, chemistry, and music.