the norm

noun

: an average level of development or achievement

She scored well above/below the norm in math.

: something (such as a behavior or way of doing something) that is usual or expected

Smaller families have become the norm.

Examples of the norm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Some experts expect that trend to proliferate further and eventually become the norm. —

Bypaolo Confino, Fortune, 26 Apr. 2024 Multiple-building data center complexes, which have become the norm, require as much as 14 to 20 times that amount. —

Antonio Olivo, Washington Post, 17 Apr. 2024 But alongside these natural variations, the world continues to blast through climate records, with deadly heat waves becoming the norm. —

Heather Chen, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024 In a time where clout too often outshines innovation, the appointment of celebrities to coveted Creative Director roles has become the norm. —

Devine Blacksher, Essence, 8 Apr. 2024 This type of cooperation has become the norm under Bayh-Dole. —

Andrei Iancu, Orange County Register, 1 Apr. 2024 Traveling to races by public transport is the norm. —

Reina Sasaki, Fortune Europe, 17 Apr. 2024 Restrepo, as has been the norm throughout his career, made an acrobatic grab. —

Susan Miller Degnan, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2024 Some big technological innovations promise to make people more productive, but a four-day workweek will not be the norm anytime soon. —

Allison Schrager, The Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'the norm.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.