rule

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: a prescribed guide for conduct or action
b
: the laws or regulations prescribed by the founder of a religious order for observance by its members
c
: an accepted procedure, custom, or habit
d(1)
: a usually written order or direction made by a court regulating court practice or the action of parties
(2)
: a legal precept or doctrine
e
: a regulation or bylaw governing procedure or controlling conduct
2
a(1)
: a usually valid generalization
(2)
: a generally prevailing quality, state, or mode
fair weather was the rule yesterdayThe New York Times
b
: a standard of judgment : criterion
c
: a regulating principle
d
: a determinate method for performing a mathematical operation and obtaining a certain result
3
a
: the exercise of authority or control : dominion
b
: a period during which a specified ruler or government exercises control
4
a
: a strip of material marked off in units used especially for measuring : ruler sense 3, tape measure
b
: a metal strip with a type-high face that prints a linear design
also : a linear design produced by or as if by such a strip

rule

2 of 2

verb

ruled; ruling

transitive verb

1
a
: to exert control, direction, or influence on
the passions that rule our minds
b
: to exercise control over especially by curbing or restraining
rule a fractious horse
ruled his appetites firmly
2
a
: to exercise authority or power over often harshly or arbitrarily
the speaker ruled the legislature with an iron hand
b
: to be preeminent in : dominate
3
: to determine and declare authoritatively
especially : to command or determine judicially
4
a(1)
: to mark with lines drawn along or as if along the straight edge of a ruler
(2)
: to mark (a line) on a paper with a ruler
b
: to arrange in a line

intransitive verb

1
a
: to exercise supreme authority
b
: to be first in importance or prominence : predominate
the physical did not rule in her natureSherwood Anderson
2
: to exist in a specified state or condition
3
: to lay down a legal rule
4
slang : to be extremely cool or popular
used as a generalized term of praise or approval
for a little attitude at the right price, sneakers ruleTish Hamilton
Phrases
as a rule
: for the most part : generally
Choose the Right Synonym for rule

Noun

law, rule, regulation, precept, statute, ordinance, canon mean a principle governing action or procedure.

law implies imposition by a sovereign authority and the obligation of obedience on the part of all subject to that authority.

obey the law

rule applies to more restricted or specific situations.

the rules of the game

regulation implies prescription by authority in order to control an organization or system.

regulations affecting nuclear power plants

precept commonly suggests something advisory and not obligatory communicated typically through teaching.

the precepts of effective writing

statute implies a law enacted by a legislative body.

a statute requiring the use of seat belts

ordinance applies to an order governing some detail of procedure or conduct enforced by a limited authority such as a municipality.

a city ordinance

canon suggests in nonreligious use a principle or rule of behavior or procedure commonly accepted as a valid guide.

the canons of good taste

Verb

decide, determine, settle, rule, resolve mean to come or cause to come to a conclusion.

decide implies previous consideration of a matter causing doubt, wavering, debate, or controversy.

she decided to sell her house

determine implies fixing the identity, character, scope, or direction of something.

determined the cause of the problem

settle implies a decision reached by someone with power to end all dispute or uncertainty.

the dean's decision settled the campus alcohol policy

rule implies a determination by judicial or administrative authority.

the judge ruled that the evidence was inadmissible

resolve implies an expressed or clear decision or determination to do or refrain from doing something.

he resolved to quit smoking

Examples of rule in a Sentence

Noun I understand the basic rules of chess. As long as you're living under our roof, you'll follow our rules. The college has strict rules for qualifying for financial assistance. The new rule allows employees to dress casually on Fridays. Under the new rules, casual dress is now allowed. the company's rules and regulations It's important to learn the rules of the road before taking your driving test. It's against the rules to eat during class. He violated the unwritten rule that you must thank your host before you leave a party. If you break the rules, you'll be asked to leave. Verb The queen ruled for 25 years. A dynasty ruled over this region during the 11th century. Who will be the next leader to rule the country? All of his actions were ruled by his religion. The court ruled in favor of the defendant. The jury ruled against the tobacco companies. How will the court rule on the motion? The Supreme Court ruled the law unconstitutional. The board ruled that her behavior was cheating. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The emissions rule is likely to face similar opposition. Ian Duncan The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 23 Nov. 2023 The new rules would drop the requirement down to just $600 in profit. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 22 Nov. 2023 In Hollywood, the Writers Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists went on overlapping strikes, both agitating for guardrails and rules about the use of AI in their fields. Kate Knibbs, WIRED, 22 Nov. 2023 Drizzle it in eggs, add it to a sandwich, or use it as a dipping sauce for chicken wings — there are no rules. Olivia Muenter, Peoplemag, 22 Nov. 2023 Sports transfers allowed The final rule change in which members voted to raise the white flag of surrender on transfers came in April 2017. Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2023 If the rules are broke, at minimum, 50% of all Federal tax dollars will be withheld. Daniel Buck, National Review, 22 Nov. 2023 And unlike the vast majority of those who showed up in ProPublica’s analysis, Hoeft does not work at a hedge fund, where the rules around personal trading are typically more lax. Robert Faturechi, ProPublica, 21 Nov. 2023 The rule from the agency reworked the definition of a firearm for regulatory purposes to include parts which could be used to make guns. Jack Birle, Washington Examiner, 11 Nov. 2023
Verb
King Magnifico, who rules the city, periodically grants its citizens wishes. Kalhan Rosenblatt, NBC News, 24 Nov. 2023 The police later declared that the violence was planned by a leader of the Bajrang Dal, a far-right radical organization close to the ruling BJP, over a WhatsApp group that had 456 members. Parth M.n., WIRED, 23 Nov. 2023 On Tuesday, a three-judge panel of the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 that Maryland’s Handgun Qualification License (HQL) requirement is unconstitutional, citing the 2022 landmark Supreme Court case that reset how courts treat gun rights cases. Brianna Herlihy, Fox News, 23 Nov. 2023 Inside the hard, circuitous route to a hostage release deal Israel’s Supreme Court on Thursday continued to turn aside legal challenges to the hostage release deal, ruling against three petitions brought by victims advocates. Louisa Loveluck, Washington Post, 23 Nov. 2023 Decadence ruled the evening: There were fizzy apéritifs, overflowing concession stands and an in-person intro by Swift herself. Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2023 The State Supreme Court is not expected to rule immediately on the case. Julie Bosman, New York Times, 21 Nov. 2023 In a Monday preliminary hearing in Los Angeles, Judge M.L. Villar ruled that there was sufficient evidence for the rapper, né Rakim Mayers — who pleaded not guilty to two counts of assault with a firearm in August 2022 — to stand trial for allegations surrounding the Nov. 6, 2021 incident. Daniela Avila, Peoplemag, 21 Nov. 2023 The decision was made by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit, which ruled 2-1 that black and minority groups alone cannot bring racial gerrymandering suits under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Kaelan Deese, Washington Examiner, 20 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rule.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English reule, from Anglo-French, from Latin regula straightedge, rule, from regere to keep straight, direct — more at right

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of rule was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near rule

Cite this Entry

“Rule.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rule. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

rule

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: a guide or principle for conduct or action
b
: an accepted method, custom, or habit
2
: a broad statement generally found to be true
as a rule we don't have much snow here
3
: the exercise of authority or control : government
4

rule

2 of 2 verb
ruled; ruling
1
: to have power over : control, direct
2
a
: to exercise authority or power over
b
: to be supreme or outstanding in
3
: to give or state as a considered decision
4
: to mark with lines drawn along or as if along the straight edge of a ruler
Etymology

Noun

Middle English reule "a guide for proper actions," from early French reule (same meaning), from Latin regula "straightedge, ruler," from regere "to lead straight, govern, rule" — related to rail entry 1, regent, regulate

Legal Definition

rule

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: a prescribed guide for conduct or action
b
: a regulating principle or precept
2
a
: an order or directive issued by a court in a particular proceeding especially upon petition of a party to the proceeding that commands an officer or party to perform an act or show cause why an act should not be performed
a rule directing the district court to show cause why its ruling should not be vacatedPeople v. District Court, 797 P.2d 1259 (1990)
b
: a usually judicially promulgated regulation having the force of law that governs judicial practice or procedure
rules of evidence
rules of appellate procedure
see also rule of court
3
: all or part of a statement (as a regulation) by an administrative agency that has general or particular applicability and future effect and that is designed to implement, interpret, or prescribe law or policy or that describes the organization, procedure, or practice of the agency itself
a rule subject to statutory notice and comment requirements for informal rulemaking
4
a
: a regulation or bylaw governing procedure or conduct in a body, organization, institution, or proceeding
b
: a resolution of a legislative rules committee setting forth the terms for consideration of a particular bill by the entire body
5
: the exercise of authority or control
majority rule
see also home rule, rule of law sense 2

rule

2 of 2 verb
ruled; ruling

transitive verb

1
: to exercise authority or power over
2
: to determine and declare authoritatively
especially : to command or determine judicially
ruled the evidence inadmissible

intransitive verb

1
: to exercise supreme authority
2
: to lay down a rule or ruling
ruled in favor of the plaintiff

More from Merriam-Webster on rule

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