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

The red areas indicate temperatures that are two standard deviations above the norm. — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 10 Sep. 2026

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s equaliser to make it 1-1 in the first half had a mix of what has become the norm while also newish quirk. — Art De Roché, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

For Clancy’s case, Judge William Sullivan ordered the jurors’ names to be sealed for two weeks — compared to the norm in most states where jurors’ names are considered public record, per the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2026

Specialized silicon is becoming the norm, and the software behind it is maturing. — Ido Susan, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026

Rhymes for the norm

• brainstorm
• conform
• deform
• firestorm
• hailstorm
• inform
• landform
• lukewarm
• perform
• planform
• platform
• preform