ground rule

noun

1

: a sports rule adopted to modify play on a particular field, court, or course

2

: a rule of procedure

… ground rules for selecting a superintendent.

—Amer. School Board Jour.

Synonyms of ground rule

• rule
• regulation
• code
• law

Examples of ground rule in a Sentence

before the debate begins, let's lay out some ground rules

Recent Examples on the Web

New York state set a one-year pause on building AI data centers to establish some ground rules. — Yasmin Vossoughian, NBC news, 23 July 2026

Tips for Getting Along With Your In-Laws Some in-laws are harder to deal with than others, and some are flat-out impossible, but experts agree that most relationships can flourish when certain ground rules apply. — Margaret Renkl, Parents, 23 July 2026

Should couples set spending ground rules before moving in together? — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2026

So, start with laying down some ground rules everyone can agree to. — R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 6 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for ground rule

• ampoule
• bascule
• carpool
• cesspool
• ferrule
• footstool
• guayule
• lobule
• misrule
• preschool
• pustule
• whirlpool

Kids Definition

ground rule

noun

: a rule set up for a specified activity