the norm

noun

: an average level of development or achievement

She scored well above/below the norm in math.

: 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 By this time, hospital births had become the norm, and partners were not invited to the birthing room. —

Rachel Gurevich, Parents, 22 July 2024 Decisions like the one granting approval to this questionable therapy cannot become the norm. —

Aaron S. Kesselheim, Washington Post, 22 July 2024 These aren’t the drab, flat and economic manhole covers that have become the norm in recent decades. —

Graham Womack, Sacramento Bee, 20 July 2024 Usha Vance, wife to Republican vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance, is bucking the norm on one account: Her long, raven bob has visible streaks of gray. —

Mattie Kahn, Vogue, 18 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for the norm

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'the norm.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.