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

Families earning up to 450% of the federal poverty guidelines—about $135,000 for a family of four at the time—could receive full scholarships, while those earning more qualified for smaller awards. — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026

Massachusetts invested $425,000 to expand CPR education in public schools, while Colorado includes hands-on CPR and AED instruction in its statewide health education guidelines but stops short of requiring schools to provide it. — Meng Yang, Time, 18 Oct. 2026

The 8-30g law affects only communities where less than 10% of the housing is considered affordable by state guidelines. — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026

The comedian caused quite the stir last weekend for making misogynistic comments in his opening monologue as well as dropping the f-bomb live on air, which is not allowed per NBC guidelines. — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 18 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1785, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for guideline

• alkaline
• andesine
• anodyne
• anticline
• arginine
• asinine
• benzidine
• borderline
• byzantine
• calamine
• caroline
• centerline

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