guideline

noun

guide·​line ˈgīd-ˌlīn 

: 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

new guidelines on nutrition

Examples of guideline in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail. —Ted Williams, Denver Post, 24 Feb. 2026

Please read the guidelines before participating. —Suryatapa Chakraborty, Dallas Morning News, 23 Feb. 2026

If your travel can't be rescheduled within these guidelines, Delta says customers may cancel the reservation and apply the unused value of the ticket toward another ticket in the next year. —Dan Raby, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026

The preliminary Food and Drug Administration guidelines, if implemented, would create a new pathway for bespoke therapies that have only been tested in a handful of patients due to the challenges of conducting larger studies. —CNN Money, 23 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1785, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for guideline

• acridine
• alkaline
• andesine
• anodyne
• anticline
• arginine
• asinine
• atropine
• benzidine
• borderline
• byzantine
• calamine

Kids Definition

guideline

noun

guide·​line ˈgīd-ˌlīn 

1

: a line by which one is guided

2

: an outline of standards for future policy or action