principle
US /ˈprɪnsəpəl/
・UK /ˈprɪnsəpl/
A2
noun
- A fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behaviour or for a chain of reasoning.
- A general scientific law or rule.
- A basic idea or rule that explains or controls how something happens or works.
- Moral rule or belief governing a person's behavior
- Natural law that explains how things work
- A personal code of conduct.
Examples
She's opposed to abortion on principle.
She went on to explain the principles behind what she was doing.