guideline

noun

guide·​line ˈgīd-ˌlīn How to pronounce guideline (audio)
: a line by which one is guided: such as
a
: a cord or rope to aid a passer over a difficult point or to permit retracing a course
b
: an indication or outline of policy or conduct

Examples of guideline in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Only seven countries and three territories last year met World Health Organization pollution guidelines for fine particulate matter, the most risky form of pollution to human health. Kelly Kasulis Cho, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2024 This phrase may be associated with behavior or content that violates our guidelines. Joelle Goldstein, Peoplemag, 19 Mar. 2024 The vast majority of these cities — 83 — were in India and all exceeded the World Health Organization’s air quality guidelines by more than 10 times, according to the report by IQAir, which tracks air quality worldwide. Helen Regan, CNN, 19 Mar. 2024 The few oases of clean air that meet World Health Organization guidelines are mostly islands, as well as Australia and the northern European countries of Finland and Estonia. Delger Erdenesanaa, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2024 Lemon pointed out that hate speech, which is generally protected by the law, goes against X’s community guidelines. Sunny Nagpaul, Fortune, 18 Mar. 2024 Although pursuit policies vary across the state and nation, several prominent law enforcement, traffic safety and research groups recently published a lengthy report on pursuit guidelines departments should consider when developing their own policies. Lyndsay Winkley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Mar. 2024 And among male service members who received TRT in 2017, fewer than half met the clinical practice guidelines, according to a report by the U.S. military. Michael Scaturro, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2024 Dozens of writers shared similar experiences with the FTC last year in support of revisions to merger guidelines that signal a tougher stance on vertical transactions and, for the first time, take into account a merger’s impact on workers. Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

1785, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of guideline was in 1785

Dictionary Entries Near guideline

Cite this Entry

“Guideline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guideline. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

guideline

noun
guide·​line ˈgīd-ˌlīn How to pronounce guideline (audio)
1
: a line by which one is guided
2
: an outline of standards for future policy or action
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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