rule

noun

ˈrül 

1

a

: a prescribed guide for conduct or action

a new rule permitting pets in the park

the rules of chess

While you live in my house, you'll abide by my rules.

Eating in class is against the rules.

The handbook contains the department's rules and regulations.

They were asked to leave for repeatedly breaking the rules.

It's an unwritten/unspoken rule that you must thank your host before leaving a party.

see also golden rule

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

The rule of the house is an early bedtime.

As a rule, I don't drive in the snow.

They make it a rule to treat everyone kindly.

Good service has become the exception rather than the rule there.

see also house rule

d(1)

: a usually written order or direction made by a court regulating court practice or the action of parties

The judge … issued a rule to show cause why the case should not be dismissed …

—Ball v. City of Chicago, 2 F.3d 752 (1993)

(2)

: a legal precept or doctrine

the rule against perpetuities

e

: a regulation or bylaw governing procedure or controlling conduct

the organization's rule for admitting new members

town rules for use of the public swimming pool

f

: one of a set of usually official regulations by which an activity (as a sport) is governed

2

a(1)

: a usually valid generalization

It's a good rule of travel to do as the locals do.

(2)

: a generally prevailing quality, state, or mode

… fair weather was the rule yesterday …

—The New York Times

b

: a standard of judgment : criterion

… "good enough" becomes the rule …

—Leslie Rees

c

: a regulating principle

the rules of perspective in art

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, government, or group exercises control

during the rule of Tutankhamun

the country's independence from colonial rule

see also home rule, majority rule

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

see also:

by the rules

Synonyms of rule

• regulation
• law
• code

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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.

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 on the Web

Curry granted the young man a preliminary injunction that prevents NCAA brass from punishing Sorsby for violating — again, repeatedly — its rules on sports betting. —Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 10 June 2026

The country’s ministry of culture and sports set out a series of rules and regulations which included no pyro, no face paint and no shouting of words that could be degrading towards any person on the field, not even the referee. —Tim Spiers, New York Times, 10 June 2026

Under his rule, North Korea has continued to ramp up its nuclear program in violation of United Nations sanctions. —Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 9 June 2026

Single-family neighborhoods within a half-mile of transit stops are subject to the new zoning rules. —Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing rule

• bend a rule
• castle rule
• chain rule
• divide and rule
• Durham rule
• exclusionary rule
• gag rule
• general rule
• golden rule
• ground rule
• home rule
• house rule
• L'Hopital's rule
• L'Hospital's rule
• majority rule
• rewrite rule
• rule book
• rule of law
• rule of the road
• rule of thumb
• rule out
• rule out of
• rule the roost
• rule with an iron fist/hand
• rule with a rod of iron
• self-rule
• Simpson's rule
• slide rule
• unit rule
• work-to-rule

Rhymes for rule

• boule
• brule
• buhl
• cool
• drool
• fool
• ghoul
• mule
• pool
• poul
• school
• spool

Kids Definition

rule

1 of 2 noun

ˈrül 

1

a

: a guide or principle for conduct or action

b

: an accepted method, custom, or habit

c

: regulation sense 2, bylaw

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

: ruler sense 2

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

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 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 sense 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 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