as in rule
a statement spelling out the proper procedure or conduct for an activity
before the debate begins, let's lay out some ground rules
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Recent Examples of ground rule
The official spoke on the condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the White House.
—
Aamer Madhani, Fortune, 13 May 2026
The official spoke on the condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the White House.
—ABC News, 12 May 2026
Boston’s only baserunners through the first half of the game came on a Connor Wong ground rule double in the third, a Willson Contreras hit by pitch in the fourth and Rafaela walk in the fifth.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
Because along with this freedom, students are also taught – and are practicing – respect for others, the correct use of materials, completing cycles of work, and following classroom ground rules.
—Jose Bolaños, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ground rule
Aamer Madhani, Fortune, 13 May 2026
The official spoke on the condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the White House.
—ABC News, 12 May 2026
Boston’s only baserunners through the first half of the game came on a Connor Wong ground rule double in the third, a Willson Contreras hit by pitch in the fourth and Rafaela walk in the fifth.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
Because along with this freedom, students are also taught – and are practicing – respect for others, the correct use of materials, completing cycles of work, and following classroom ground rules.
—Jose Bolaños, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ground rule
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ground rule
Noun
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Meanwhile, telehealth companies have not historically followed the same rules that drugmakers have in disclosing medication risks in advertisements.—
Maia Rosenfeld,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
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Head coach Oliver Glasner has been the cause of a certain amount of friction too, but the same rules apply.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Noun
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The four 8-foot-long benches were installed over a span of eight hours May 29 beside the regulation-size bocce court along the Draper Avenue side of the Rec Center grounds.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 June 2026
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The bill would roll out several regulations on the industry, including clarifications on player transfers and payments, rules on midseason coach movement, and a ban on professional players from reentering the NCAA.—
Molly Parks,
The Washington Examiner,
3 June 2026
Noun
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Armed with an adventure kit, participants are summoned to a secret location where they’re tasked with deciphering cryptic codes, uncovering hidden symbols, navigating shifting alliances and outwit enemies and operatives stationed around the campus.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
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The streets are worse, the parks are underfunded, code enforcement is slower, and city investment consistently flows to other parts of town.—
Mercury News Editorial Board,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
Noun
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The complaint alleges the defendants failed to manufacture, supply and serve food safe for human consumption and violated federal food safety laws and USDA performance standards governing ground beef.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
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Observers link these conflicts to Abiy’s push away from Ethiopia’s longstanding system of ethnic federalism, which had allowed diverse regional states to draft their own laws and maintain local armies.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ground rule.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ground%20rule. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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