Definitions of principle
a basic rule or belief about what is morally correct behaviour
The Commission has always followed the principle that the public interest is best served when regulatory affairs are open to the fullest extent possible.
a basic truth or assumption
The parties have reached an agreement in principle.
something in principle is possible, although it has not yet been tried or finalised
The reasons why torture is wrong can be divided into reasons of pure principle and reasons based on the bad consequences of torture.