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house rule

noun
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Definition of house rule

: a rule (as in a game) that applies only among a certain group or in a certain place

Examples of house rule in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web There's a sign outside listing the house rules: no drugs, weapons, fighting, or arguing about closing time. — Harry Pearson, Condé Nast Traveler, "To Best Experience Alaska’s Burgeoning Local Food Movement, Go in Winter," 20 Dec. 2019 Always be respectful of boundaries and house rules. — Washington Post, "We had an etiquette expert answer common questions about being a houseguest," 7 Nov. 2019 Plus, there was a list of house rules that accompanied each party. — John Norris, Billboard, "In Broadway's Powerful Queer Epic 'The Inheritance,' Matthew Lopez Bridges an LGBTQ Generation Gap," 7 Nov. 2019 The two of you should convene a meeting of everyone who lives under that roof and set some house rules. — Abigail Van Buren, Twin Cities, "Dear Abby: Mom-to-be tires of cleaning solo in a house full of slobs," 4 Nov. 2019 The two of you should convene a meeting of everyone who lives under that roof and set some house rules. — Abigail Van Buren, oregonlive, "Dear Abby: Pregnant woman tired of being house maid to a family of slobs," 4 Nov. 2019 The listing’s house rules specifically don’t allow parties. — Deanna Paul, Washington Post, "Four killed in mass shooting at Halloween party in California," 1 Nov. 2019 These first weeks are the perfect time to set the house rules and set him up for success. — Peninsula Humane Society, The Mercury News, "Critter corner: How to make Hank feel at home," 26 July 2019 Which happens to be about when the Knicks began to play by the byzantine Dolan house rules. — Harvey Araton, New York Times, "These Knicks Do Not Belong in Today’s N.B.A.," 1 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'house rule.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of house rule

1947, in the meaning defined above

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The first known use of house rule was in 1947

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Statistics for house rule

Last Updated

7 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“House rule.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/house%20rule. Accessed 19 January 2020.

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