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.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Rosenberg came up as an artist in the late 1970s when abstractionism was the norm, rather than the realism portrayed in her courtroom work. Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 9 Apr. 2023 Once rare, such dramatic rescues have become the norm. David J. Lynch, Washington Post, 26 Mar. 2023 Playing every day became the norm, too. Evan Grant, Dallas News, 16 Mar. 2023 While other recent presidents routinely drew financial support from key campaign aides and West Wing advisers, contributions to Mr. Trump from his team have been the exception rather than the norm. Michael C. Bender, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2023 Sleep deprivation was the norm. Julian Benbow, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Apr. 2023 Multigenerational households were the norm. Laura Newberry, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2023 Of survey respondents, 71.3% will not trust a publisher who uses AI content without full disclosure, and 80.5% believe AI disclosures should be the norm. Eric Griffith, PCMAG, 10 Apr. 2023 Three years later, employee tracking via tools like video feeds and keystroke monitoring software are in fact the norm, according to a new survey of 1,000 companies with remote or hybrid workforces. Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2023 See More

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.

Dictionary Entries Near the norm

Cite this Entry

“The norm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20norm. Accessed 4 Jun. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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