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

Examples of guideline in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

An Israeli military official, speaking on condition of anonymity under military guidelines, told The Associated Press that about 2,000 to 3,000 Hamas militants remain in Gaza City, along with a network of tunnels. —Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 16 Sep. 2025

If the city had some kind of fair rules and guidelines, the La Jolla donors would have to donate the funds to the city of San Diego to be placed into a city library fund where donations were collected for all nine council districts. —U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2025

Create guidelines, not hard rules. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2025

The Farabi Cinema Foundation, in conjunction with the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, operates within a framework that enforces strict guidelines on artistic expression in Iran. —Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2025

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