rule

1 of 2

noun

ˈrül 

1

a

: a prescribed guide for conduct or action

a new rule permitting pets in the park

the rules of chess

While you live in my house, you'll abide by my rules.

Eating in class is against the rules.

The handbook contains the department's rules and regulations.

They were asked to leave for repeatedly breaking the rules.

It's an unwritten/unspoken rule that you must thank your host before leaving a party.

see also golden rule

b

: the laws or regulations prescribed by the founder of a religious order for observance by its members

c

: an accepted procedure, custom, or habit

The rule of the house is an early bedtime.

As a rule, I don't drive in the snow.

They make it a rule to treat everyone kindly.

Good service has become the exception rather than the rule there.

see also house rule

d(1)

: a usually written order or direction made by a court regulating court practice or the action of parties

The judge … issued a rule to show cause why the case should not be dismissed …

—Ball v. City of Chicago, 2 F.3d 752 (1993)

(2)

: a legal precept or doctrine

the rule against perpetuities

e

: a regulation or bylaw governing procedure or controlling conduct

the organization's rule for admitting new members

town rules for use of the public swimming pool

f

: one of a set of usually official regulations by which an activity (as a sport) is governed

2

a(1)

: a usually valid generalization

It's a good rule of travel to do as the locals do.

(2)

: a generally prevailing quality, state, or mode

… fair weather was the rule yesterday …

—The New York Times

b

: a standard of judgment : criterion

… "good enough" becomes the rule …

—Leslie Rees

c

: a regulating principle

the rules of perspective in art

d

: a determinate method for performing a mathematical operation and obtaining a certain result

3

a

: the exercise of authority or control : dominion

b

: a period during which a specified ruler, government, or group exercises control

during the rule of Tutankhamun

the country's independence from colonial rule

see also home rule, majority rule

4

a

: a strip of material marked off in units used especially for measuring : ruler sense 3, tape measure

b

: a metal strip with a type-high face that prints a linear design

also : a linear design produced by or as if by such a strip

rule

2 of 2

verb

ruled; ruling

transitive verb

1

a

: to exert control, direction, or influence on

the passions that rule our minds

is ruled by greed

b

: to exercise control over especially by curbing or restraining

rule a fractious horse

ruled his appetites firmly

You must learn to rule your tongue.

2

a

: to exercise authority or power over often harshly or arbitrarily

a dynasty that ruled this region during the 11th century

the speaker ruled the legislature with an iron hand

b

: to be preeminent in : dominate

The university rules in women's basketball.

3

: to determine and declare authoritatively

ruled in favor of the defendant

especially : to command or determine judicially

The court ruled that the period for filing suit under the statute of limitations had expired.

4

a(1)

: to mark with lines drawn along or as if along the straight edge of a ruler

(2)

: to mark (a line) on a paper with a ruler

b

: to arrange in a line

intransitive verb

1

a

: to exercise supreme authority

a monarch who is felt to have ruled wisely

b

: to be first in importance or prominence : predominate

… the physical did not rule in her nature …

—Sherwood Anderson

2

: to exist in a specified state or condition

3

: to lay down a legal rule

waiting to see how the court will rule

4

slang : to be extremely cool or popular

—used as a generalized term of praise or approval

For a little attitude at the right price, sneakers rule.

—Tish Hamilton

Phrases

by the rules

: in the way that is most common, expected, and acceptable

After years of boredom, she grew tired of living by the rules.

He has played by the rules throughout his career.

rule the roost

: to have the most control or authority in a group

Synonyms of rule

Noun

• regulation
• law
• code

Verb

• govern
• control

Choose the Right Synonym for rule

Noun

law, rule, regulation, precept, statute, ordinance, canon mean a principle governing action or procedure.

law implies imposition by a sovereign authority and the obligation of obedience on the part of all subject to that authority.

obey the law

rule applies to more restricted or specific situations.

the rules of the game

regulation implies prescription by authority in order to control an organization or system.

regulations affecting nuclear power plants

precept commonly suggests something advisory and not obligatory communicated typically through teaching.

the precepts of effective writing

statute implies a law enacted by a legislative body.

a statute requiring the use of seat belts

ordinance applies to an order governing some detail of procedure or conduct enforced by a limited authority such as a municipality.

a city ordinance

canon suggests in nonreligious use a principle or rule of behavior or procedure commonly accepted as a valid guide.

the canons of good taste

Verb

decide, determine, settle, rule, resolve mean to come or cause to come to a conclusion.

decide implies previous consideration of a matter causing doubt, wavering, debate, or controversy.

she decided to sell her house

determine implies fixing the identity, character, scope, or direction of something.

determined the cause of the problem

settle implies a decision reached by someone with power to end all dispute or uncertainty.

the dean's decision settled the campus alcohol policy

rule implies a determination by judicial or administrative authority.

the judge ruled that the evidence was inadmissible

resolve implies an expressed or clear decision or determination to do or refrain from doing something.

he resolved to quit smoking

Examples of rule in a Sentence

Noun

I understand the basic rules of chess.

As long as you're living under our roof, you'll follow our rules.

The college has strict rules for qualifying for financial assistance.

The new rule allows employees to dress casually on Fridays.

Under the new rules, casual dress is now allowed.

It's important to learn the rules of the road before taking your driving test.

It's against the rules to eat during class.

He violated the unwritten rule that you must thank your host before you leave a party.

If you break the rules, you'll be asked to leave.

Verb

The queen ruled for 25 years.

A dynasty ruled over this region during the 11th century.

Who will be the next leader to rule the country?

All of his actions were ruled by his religion.

The court ruled in favor of the defendant.

The jury ruled against the tobacco companies.

How will the court rule on the motion?

The Supreme Court ruled the law unconstitutional.

The board ruled that her behavior was cheating.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Iran, Baghdad’s arch enemy during Hussein’s rule, now enjoys significant influence in Iraq – another direct result of the US invasion. —Ben Wedeman, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025

Still in its early stages, Montgomery Steppe’s proposal calls for free medical care, including prescription drugs, to be provided to people who lose Medi-Cal benefits or face ineligibility under new rules for Medicaid. —Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2025

Verb

However, on Friday federal judges in Rhode Island and Boston ruled that the government must continue funding SNAP—at least in part—during the shutdown using the emergency funds. —Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025

In 1975 Matty the Horse, as he was called, ruled Midtown. —Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English reule, from Anglo-French, from Latin regula straightedge, rule, from regere to keep straight, direct — more at right

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing rule

• As a rule
• bend a rule
• castle rule
• chain rule
• divide and rule
• Durham rule
• exclusionary rule
• gag rule
• general rule
• golden rule
• ground rule
• home rule
• house rule
• L'Hopital's rule
• L'Hospital's rule
• majority rule
• rewrite rule
• rule book
• rule of law
• rule of the road
• rule of thumb
• rule out
• rule out of
• rule the roost
• rule with an iron fist/hand
• rule with a rod of iron
• self-rule
• Simpson's rule
• slide rule
• the exception rather than the rule
• unit rule
• unwritten/unspoken rule
• work-to-rule

Rhymes for rule

• boule
• brule
• buhl
• cool
• drool
• fool
• ghoul
• mule
• pool
• poul
• school
• spool

Kids Definition

rule

1 of 2 noun

ˈrül 

1

a

: a guide or principle for conduct or action

b

: an accepted method, custom, or habit

c

: regulation sense 2, bylaw

2

: a broad statement generally found to be true

as a rule we don't have much snow here

3

: the exercise of authority or control : government

4

: ruler sense 2

rule

2 of 2 verb

ruled; ruling

1

: to have power over : control, direct

2

a

: to exercise authority or power over

b

: to be supreme or outstanding in

3

: to give or state as a considered decision

4

: to mark with lines drawn along or as if along the straight edge of a ruler

Etymology

Noun

Middle English reule "a guide for proper actions," from early French reule (same meaning), from Latin regula "straightedge, ruler," from regere "to lead straight, govern, rule" — related to rail entry 1, regent, regulate

Legal Definition

rule

1 of 2 noun

1

a

: a prescribed guide for conduct or action

b

: a regulating principle or precept

2

a

: an order or directive issued by a court in a particular proceeding especially upon petition of a party to the proceeding that commands an officer or party to perform an act or show cause why an act should not be performed

a rule directing the district court to show cause why its ruling should not be vacated

—People v. District Court, 797 P.2d 1259 (1990)

b

: a usually judicially promulgated regulation having the force of law that governs judicial practice or procedure

rules of evidence

rules of appellate procedure

see also rule of court

c

: rule of law sense 1

3

: all or part of a statement (as a regulation) by an administrative agency that has general or particular applicability and future effect and that is designed to implement, interpret, or prescribe law or policy or that describes the organization, procedure, or practice of the agency itself

a rule subject to statutory notice and comment requirements for informal rulemaking

4

a

: a regulation or bylaw governing procedure or conduct in a body, organization, institution, or proceeding

b

: a resolution of a legislative rules committee setting forth the terms for consideration of a particular bill by the entire body

5

: the exercise of authority or control

majority rule

see also home rule, rule of law sense 2

rule

2 of 2 verb

ruled; ruling

transitive verb

1

: to exercise authority or power over

2

: to determine and declare authoritatively

especially : to command or determine judicially

ruled the evidence inadmissible

intransitive verb

1

: to exercise supreme authority

2

: to lay down a rule or ruling

ruled in favor of the plaintiff