norm

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noun \ˈnȯrm\

Definition of norm

1 : an authoritative standard : model
2 : a principle of right action binding upon the members of a group and serving to guide, control, or regulate proper and acceptable behavior No society lacks norms governing conduct. — Robert K. Merton
3 : average: such asa : a set standard of development or achievement usually derived from the average or median achievement of a large groupb : a pattern or trait taken to be typical in the behavior of a social group studies aimed at establishing the norms of sexual behavior among the middle classesc : a widespread or usual practice, procedure, or custom standing ovations became the norm Bilingualism is the norm in many countries.
4a : a real-valued nonnegative function defined on a vector space with value analogous to length and satisfying the conditions that the function is zero if and only if the vector (see ¹vector 1a) is zero, the function of the product of a scalar and a vector is equal to the product of the absolute value of the scalar and the function of the vector, and the function of the sum of two vectors is less than or equal to the sum of the functions of the two vectors; specifically : the square root of the sum of the squares of the absolute values of the elements of a matrix (see matrix 5a) or of the components of a vectorb : the greatest distance between two successive points of a set of points that partition an interval (see interval 2a) into smaller intervals

See norm defined for English-language learners

See norm defined for kids

Examples of norm in a Sentence

She scored well above the norm in math.
Smaller families have become the norm.
Women used to stay at home to take care of the children, but that's no longer the norm.

Recent Examples of norm from the Web

The reading will be followed by a post-show discussion, with a panel that includes former Seattle chief of police Norm Stamper, who’s now become an advocate of police demilitarization.

— dusty somers, The Seattle Times, "Nights at the Neptune series celebrates 5th anniversary with six social-justice programs", 5 July 2017
Games like Monday’s were supposed to be the norm when the Mets and Nationals got together in 2017.

— michael beller, SI.com, "Matz-Strasburg pitcher's duel a reminder of what could've been in the NL East", 4 July 2017
Horizon has said its reserves are within industry norms and are only enough to cover 75 days’ worth of claims for its members.

— russ buettner and nate schweber, New York Times, "With Beaches Empty, Christie Wages One More Fight", 2 July 2017
The U.S. economy has settled into a new norm with the sloppiness coming out of Washington, both nationally and internationally.

— roger showley, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Economy in 2nd half of '17: Up, down or steady?", 30 June 2017
From Yves Saint Laurent popularizing the trouser for women with his Le Smoking to Keith Richards upending menswear norms by pilfering from girlfriend Anita Pallenberg's closet, fashion during the end of the '60s was more revolution than evolution.

— scott christian, Esquire, "50 Years Later, 'Flower Power' Still Looks Pretty Damn Good", 29 June 2017
But for a generation of women who care so deeply about health and wellness, should PMS really be considered the norm?

— michelle konstantinovsky, Harper's BAZAAR, "Why Do Women Still Think PMS is Normal?", 29 June 2017
Discrimination based on pre-existing conditions could become the norm again.

— alana abramson, Time, "'This Bill Will Do You Harm.’ Read Barack Obama’s Statement on GOP Health Plan", 22 June 2017
To move things along and adjust a norm where imperfections are way under-celebrated, Ashley directed a lingerie shoot for Glamour wearing nothing besides her bra and underwear.

— elizabeth narins, Cosmopolitan, "Why Ashley Graham Cried Directing a Lingerie Shoot", 21 June 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of norm

borrowed from Latin norma “carpenter's square, pattern,” probably borrowed from an Etruscan adaptation of Greek gnṓmōn “carpenter's square, indicator on a sundial” — more at gnomon

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First Known Use: 1674

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of norm

average, mean, median, norm mean something that represents a middle point. average is the quotient obtained by dividing the sum total of a set of figures by the number of figures. scored an average of 85 on tests mean may be the simple average or it may represent value midway between two extremes. a high of 70° and a low of 50° give a mean of 60° median applies to the value that represents the point at which there are as many instances above as there are below. average of a group of persons earning 3, 4, 5, 8, and 10 dollars an hour is 6 dollars, whereas the median is 5 dollars norm means the average of performance of a significantly large group, class, or grade. scores about the norm for fifth grade arithmetic

NORM Defined for English Language Learners

norm

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noun

Definition of norm for English Language Learners

norms : standards of proper or acceptable behavior
the norm : an average level of development or achievement
the norm : something (such as a behavior or way of doing something) that is usual or expected

NORM Defined for Kids

norm

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noun \ˈnȯrm\

Definition of norm for Students

1 : ¹average 2
2 : a common practice

Medical Dictionary

norm

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noun \ˈnȯ(ə)rm\

Medical Definition of norm

: an established standard or average: asa: a set standard of development or achievement usually derived from the average or median achievement of a large groupb: a pattern or trait taken to be typical in the behavior of a social group