the norm
noun
1
: an average level of development or achievement
She scored well above/below the norm in math.
2
: something (such as a behavior or way of doing something) that is usual or expected
Smaller families have become the norm.
Examples of the norm in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
While part of the region’s overall homeless population comes from other states or countries, homegrown homelessness remains the norm.
—
Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2025
An expansion draft is the norm when any professional sports league grows.
—Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 19 May 2025
The management system became so broken that at one point a third of the staff wasn’t coming to work; triple shifts were the norm, leading to exhaustion and violence.
—Elizabeth Glazer, New York Daily News, 18 May 2025
These funds allow quarterly redemptions of up to 10% of assets—twice the norm for interval funds.
—Carrie McCabe, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for the norm
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Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2025
An expansion draft is the norm when any professional sports league grows.
—Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 19 May 2025
The management system became so broken that at one point a third of the staff wasn’t coming to work; triple shifts were the norm, leading to exhaustion and violence.
—Elizabeth Glazer, New York Daily News, 18 May 2025
These funds allow quarterly redemptions of up to 10% of assets—twice the norm for interval funds.
—Carrie McCabe, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for the norm
Cite this Entry
“The norm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20norm. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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