principal

adj.

1. First, highest, or foremost in importance, rank, worth, or degree; chief. See synonyms at chief.
2. Of, relating to, or being financial principal, or a principal in a financial transaction.

n.

1. One who holds a position of presiding rank, especially the head of an elementary school or high school.
2. A main participant in a situation.
3. A person having a leading or starring role.
4. 1. The capital or main body of an estate or financial holding as distinguished from the interest or revenue from it.
   2. A sum of money owed as a debt, upon which interest is calculated.
5. Law.
   1. A person who empowers another to act as his or her representative.
   2. The person having prime responsibility for an obligation as distinguished from one who acts as surety or as an endorser.
   3. One who commits or is an accomplice to a crime.
6. Architecture. Either of a pair of inclined timbers forming the sides of a triangular truss for a pitched roof.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin prīncipālis, from prīnceps, prīncip-, leader, emperor.]

principally prin'ci·pal·ly adv.
principalship prin'ci·pal·ship' n.

USAGE NOTE   Principal and principle are often confused but have no meanings in common. Principle is only a noun and usually refers to a rule or standard. Principal is both a noun and an adjective. As a noun, it has specialized meanings in law and finance, but in general usage it refers to a person who holds a high position or plays an important role: a meeting among all the principals in the transaction. As an adjective it has the sense of “chief” or “leading”: The coach's principal concern is the quarterback's health.

1. The amount borrowed or the amount still owed on a loan, separate from interest.

2. The original amount invested, separate from earnings.

3. The face value of a bond.

4. The owner of a private company.

5. The main party to a transaction, acting as either a buyer or seller for his/her own account and risk.

Can also be referred to as "corpus."

Investopedia Says:
Be sure to take into account the context in which this term is used, as the exact meaning of the term has many variations.

Related Links:
Learn the factors to consider when comparing the different programs offered by various lenders. Home-Equity Loans: The Costs
Use the 5 "W"s to finance your dreams without banking on a second signature. Getting A Loan Without Your Parents
Investing in bonds - What are they, and do they belong in your portfolio? Bond Basics Tutorial
Whether you're puzzled by pips or curious about carry trades, your queries are answered here. Common Questions About Currency Trading
Find out how to take action against some of the biggest financial post-work worries. Common Concerns For Retirees

1. Face amount of a loan evidencing the amount repayable, exclusive of interest, according to the terms of the Note securing the obligation. See also Holder in Due Course.

2. original amount of a Time Deposit or savings account on which interest is paid daily, monthly, or at other intervals. See also Compound Interest.

3. primary borrower in a loan, as distinguished from the Guarantor or co-maker. If the borrower defaults, the guarantor is secondarily liable.

4. _person who has controlling interest in a joint venture, corporation, or partnership.

5. Person who appoints another to act on his behalf as agent or Attorney in Fact.

6. Property of an estate or investment trust, exclusive of income.

1. The one who owns or will use property.
Example: The principals to the Lease are the Landlord and Tenant principals to a sale are the buyer and seller.

2. One who contracts for the services of an Agent or Broker the broker's or agent's Client.
Example: Grey wishes to purchase a shopping center. Grey engages Jamison, a mortgage broker, to arrange Financing. Jamison arranges a loan in the name of the principal, Grey. The loan is payable as Interest only for 5 years, with the principal payable as a Balloon Payment at the end of year 5.

3. The amount of money raised by a mortgage or other loan, as distinct from the Interest paid on it.
Example: Abel arranged a loan at 6% interest with $100,000 principal on his home. The first monthly payment is $1,200 including $500 interest and $700 that Amortized the principal.

adjective

1. Most important, influential, or significant: capital, cardinal, chief, first, foremost, key, leading, main, major, number one, paramount, premier, primary, prime, top. See important/unimportant.
2. Having or exercising authority: chief, head. See over/under.

noun

The main performer in a theatrical production: lead, protagonist, star. See performing arts.

adj

Definition: most important
Antonyms: auxiliary, extra, least, lesser, minor, secondary, subordinate, trivial, unimportant

n

Definition: original amount of debt; property
Antonyms: interest

---

adj

The chief; highest in rank; the source of authority.

Term for an organ stop; originally (c 1500-1700) it denoted the diapason chorus but from the 18th century it usually signified a 4′ stop. In 20th-century Germany, Prinzipal stands for basic 8′ tone.

---

1. One on whose behalf or in whose name binding transactions may be entered into by another, usually called the agent.
2. One for whose debt or default another (called a “surety”) promises to make good.
3. In professional practice, any person legally responsible for the activities of such practice.
4. In a framed structure, a most important member, such as a truss which supports the roof.

---

This entry contains information applicable to United States law only.

A source of authority; a sum of a debt or obligation producing interest; the head of a school. In an agency relationship, the principal is the person who gives authority to another, called an agent, to act on his or her behalf. In criminal law, the principal is the chief actor or perpetrator of a crime; those who aid, abet, counsel, command, or induce the commission of a crime may also be principals. In investments and banking, the principal refers to the person for whom a broker executes an order; it may also mean the capital invested or the face amount of a loan.

A principal in the first degree is the chief actor or perpetrator of a crime. A principal in the second degree must be present at the commission of the criminal act and aid, abet, or encourage the principal in his or her criminal activity.

See: principal and surety.

The original amount of money lent, not including profits and interest.

IN BRIEF: The head of a school. Also: Most important.

The principal mark of a genius is not perfection but originality, the opening of new frontiers. — Arthur Koestler (1905-1983)

This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)

Common misspelling(s) of principal

• pricipal

Dansk (Danish)
adj. - hoved-, vigtigst
n. - forstander, direktør, rektor, fuldmægtig, hovedspær, hovedstol, pålydende

Nederlands (Dutch)
directeur, hoofdsom, schoolhoofd, rector, opdrachtgever, hoofdpersoon, voornaamst

Français (French)
adj. - principal, (Danse, Mus, Théât) premier (violon, clarinette), (Ling) principale (une proposition)
n. - proviseur, directeur, (Théât) acteur principal, (Mus) chef de pupitre, mandant, (Fin) capital, principal, (Jur) auteur principal (d'un crime ou délit), (GB, Admin Soc) chef de section

Deutsch (German)
n. - Auftraggeber, Rektor, Duellant, Kapitalbetrag, Darlehenssumme, Hauptdarsteller, Hauptschuldiger
adj. - Haupt-, wichtigst

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - εντολοδότης, εντολέας, δράστης, αυτουργός, διευθυντής σχολείου, (οικον.) κεφάλαιο δανείου
adj. - κύριος, κυριότερος, πρωτεύων

Italiano (Italian)
direttore, titolare, principale, preside

Português (Portuguese)
n. - diretor (m)
adj. - principal, essencial

Русский (Russian)
директор, организатор, зачинщик, главный, основной

Español (Spanish)
adj. - principal, mayor
n. - director, empresario, patrón, rector

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - chef, rektor, föreståndare, huvudman, ledare, gärningsman (jur.), första instrument i varje ork.sektion (förste violonist), huvudperson (teat.), huvudgeldenär, kapital, huvudsparre (byggn.)
adj. - huvud-, främsta, förnämst, väsentligast

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
主要的, 首要的, 重要的, 校长, 本金, 首长

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
adj. - 主要的, 首要的, 重要的
n. - 校長, 本金, 首長

한국어 (Korean)
adj. - 주요한, 제1의
n. - 장, 장관

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 校長, 学長, 指導者, 長, 元金, 主役, 本人, 主導者, 主材
adj. - 主要な, 重要な

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) رئيس, الرئيس, المدير, مدير المدرسه, الغريم الأصلي (صفه) رئيسي‏

עברית (Hebrew)
adj. - ‮עיקרי, ראשי‬
n. - ‮ראש מוסד, אחראי ראשי, מנהל, קרן, קורת גג ראשית, נגן ראשי‬

If you are unable to view some languages clearly, click here.

To select your translation preferences click here.

principal secret