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 yesterday—The 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
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
ruled; ruling
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
1
a
: to exercise supreme authority
b
: to be first in importance or prominence : predominate
the physical did not rule in her nature—Sherwood 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 rule—Tish Hamilton
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share