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

In that sense, New Stanford replicates an ancient form of patriarchal bias that casts men as the norm and women as an atypical other. — Judy Berman, Time, 21 Oct. 2026

But good architecture hasn’t always been the norm in our parks. — Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

Job anxiety fuels the Sunday scaries In 2019, the norm was going into the office on a Monday and getting settled for the week ahead, Weishaupt says. — Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2026

In a country where gender roles remain rigid and long hours at work are the norm for men, working women are also burdened with house chores and child care. — ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026

Rhymes for the norm

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