This paper formulates a basic principle for example translation in compiling English-Chinese dictionaries: The target equivalents of each word entry should be replicated in its example translations whenever possible, leaving other parts of the example to be translated flexibly. This principle has been accounted for with respect to the functions of examples, the focal status of equivalents, the textual coherence of each entry text and the responsive effects from dictionary users. In order to further illustrate the importance of this principle, this paper not only distinguishes translation activities in dictionary compilation from other activities for other purposes from the perspectives of translation purpose, translation product and transla, and does this tion process. But it also points out that an entry translation and the example translation under the entry should be coherent and consistent.