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 superintendentAmer. School Board Jour.

Examples of ground rule in a Sentence

before the debate begins, let's lay out some ground rules
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The regulars chuckled, the virgins-no-more cheered and, after some ground rules, the shuttle was off. Kylie Volavongsa, jsonline.com, 7 Aug. 2025 Check in every six months to make sure that ground rules are still in effect and that everyone still feels positively about the living situation. Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2025 Rafaela’s ground rule double to left field chased Civale from the game, and the outfielder subsequently advanced to third against reliever Aaron Ashby on a Rafael Devers groundout and then scored on a wild pitch to put the Red Sox up 1-0. Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 28 May 2025 But the arrangement also typically requires the fintech to follow ground rules set by the partner bank, including parameters around the types of client they are allowed to serve. Joel Khalili, Wired News, 23 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for ground rule

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ground rule was in 1890

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Cite this Entry

“Ground rule.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ground%20rule. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

ground rule

noun
: a rule set up for a specified activity
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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