rule

play

noun \ ˈrül \

Definition of rule

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 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 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

— as a rule

:for the most part :generally

See rule defined for English-language learners

See rule defined for kids

Examples of rule in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of rule from the Web

The Obama-era rule, which did not require congressional approval, would have given the EEOC more reach in its efforts to investigate firms with glaring pay disparities.

— danielle paquette, chicagotribune.com, "Trump administration halts Obama-era rule to shrink the gender wage gap," 30 Aug. 2017
The British government announced Tuesday a set of new rules to address income inequality and enforce greater corporate responsibility, to come into effect by June 2018.

— natasha bach, Fortune, "Lack of Preparation for Macao’s Typhoon Hato Blamed on the Weather Man," 30 Aug. 2017
What fascinates me is that everyone knows this rule –

— neil senturia, sandiegouniontribune.com, "How do CEOs say 'I'm sorry'?," 28 Aug. 2017
With the league's transactions deadline passed, rules are stringent for roster additions.

— steve millar, Daily Southtown, "Rookie Ryan Budnick gives ThunderBolts a boost in playoff push," 28 Aug. 2017
To preserve a healthy habitat for property rights, the rule of law, and fundamental common sense in environmental policy, the Supreme Court should hear this case.

— mark miller, National Review, "The Feds and the Frog: Private Landowners Stand to Lose on 1,500 Acres," 28 Aug. 2017
That being said, some general rules of thumb apply.

— Health.com, "The Dangers of Altitude Sickness—What to Know About the Condition That Killed a 20-Year-Old Colorado Hiker," 24 Aug. 2017
The way coastlines, mountain ranges, and islands are arranged follows rules.

— adrian daub, Longreads, "Here at the End of All Things," 24 Aug. 2017
These are the teens that frequently skip school, talk back to authorities, and disobey rules.

— juli fraga, Woman's Day, "Does "Spoiling" Your Kids Really Hurt Their Long-Term Progress?," 24 Aug. 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of rule

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

rule Synonyms

Synonyms

bylaw, ground rule, reg, regulation

Synonym Discussion of rule

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

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

rule

verb

Definition of rule

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 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

See rule defined for English-language learners

Examples of rule in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of rule from the Web

California Cannabis Coalition vs. City of Upland went to the Supreme Court from the the Fourth District Court of Appeal, which many believe ruled that citizens’ initiatives are held to the lower vote threshold.

— joshua stewart, sandiegouniontribune.com, "California Supreme Court suggests lower bar for passing tax increases through ballot initiatives," 29 Aug. 2017
But the 74-year-old president's deteriorating health, coupled with fears that the ruling party could pay an electoral price if dos Santos sought re-election yet again this year, necessitated an expedited transition.

— chicagotribune.com, "Angola's transition to technocracy won't be victimless," 25 Aug. 2017
Even though the new law requires unanimity, Florida's high court ruled that the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling did not apply to older cases.

— leigh morgan, AL.com, "Hurricane Harvey forecast: NOAA activates 'QuickLooks' site with real-time data," 24 Aug. 2017
He was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn where he was pronounced dead a short time later, and the Cook County medical examiner's office ruled his death a homicide.

— mike nolan, Daily Southtown, "Two Dixmoor men charged in connection with August shooting death of 14-year-old boy," 24 Aug. 2017
Back in the spring, a French court ruled that Pitt and Jolie’s Chateau Miraval company owed Soudant 565,000 euros (about $663,000 at today's exchange rate), which included compensation for the harm done to Soudant’s standing in her industry.

— richard lawson, vanityfair.com, "Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie Face a Dilemma Perfectly Suited to HGTV," 17 Aug. 2017
Two years after the state of Arkansas ended its contract with Planned Parenthood in controversy, a federal appeals court panel ruled that the state can block Medicaid funding to the organization.

— veronica hilbring, Essence.com, "U.S. Appeals Court: Arkansas Can Block Medicaid Funding To Planned Parenthood," 17 Aug. 2017
Then in January 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Florida’s sentencing scheme was unconstitutional because defendants have a right to a trial by jury.

— david ovalle, miamiherald, "In a first, Miami jurors asked to be unanimous in death-penalty sentencing," 15 Aug. 2017
For the past few years, whites and neutrals have ruled the world of paint color.

— lauren smith, House Beautiful, "Behr's First-Ever Color of the Year Will Help You De-Stress at Home," 9 Aug. 2017

First Known Use of rule

13th century

rule Synonyms

Synonyms

boss, captain, command, control, preside (over), govern, sway [archaic]

Antonyms

lose

Related Words

conduct, direct, head, lead; administer, manage, micromanage, oversee, regulate, superintend, supervise; dictate, dominate, domineer, lord (it over), master, oppress, reign (over), tyrannize; conquer, subdue, subjugate

Near Antonyms

liberate, loose, loosen, unleash; air, express, take out, vent

Synonym Discussion of rule

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

RULE Defined for English Language Learners

rule

play

noun

Definition of rule for English Language Learners

: a statement that tells you what is or is not allowed in a particular game, situation, etc.
: a statement that tells you what is allowed or what will happen within a particular system (such as a language or science)
: a piece of advice about the best way to do something

rule

verb

Definition of rule for English Language Learners

: to have control and power over a country, area, group, etc.
: to have great influence over (someone)
: to make a legal decision about something

RULE Defined for Kids

rule

play

noun \ ˈrül \

Definition of rule for Students

1 :a guide or principle for conduct or action

To play this game, you need to follow the rules.

2 :an accepted or usual method, custom, or habit

“I'm a pretty quiet creature as a rule,” said the horse …
—Hugh Lofting, Dr. Dolittle

3 :the exercise of authority or control :government The country was under British rule.

4 :ruler 2

rule

verb

Definition of rule for Students

ruled; ruling

1 :to exercise authority over :govern

2 :¹control 1, direct

Don't let emotions rule your decision.

3 :to be supreme or outstanding in

He rules the tennis courts.

4 :to give or state as a considered decision The judge ruled that the evidence could not be used.

5 :to mark with lines drawn along the straight edge of a ruler

Law Dictionary

rule

noun

legal Definition of rule

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 vacated
—People 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

c :rule of law 1

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 2

rule

verb

legal Definition of rule

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

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rule

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RULE Defined for English Language Learners

rule

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rule

Definition of rule for English Language Learners

RULE Defined for Kids

rule

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rule

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rule

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