rule meaning and definition

RULE noun

Definition of rule (noun)

1. a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
   • "it was his rule to take a walk before breakfast"; "short haircuts were the regulation"
   • synonyms: regulation
2. something regarded as a normative example
   • "the convention of not naming the main character"; "violence is the rule not the exception"; "his formula for impressing visitors"
   • synonyms: convention, formula, normal, pattern
3. prescribed guide for conduct or action
   • synonyms: prescript
4. (linguistics) a rule describing (or prescribing) a linguistic practice
   • synonyms: linguistic rule
5. a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct
   • "their principles of composition characterized all their works"
   • synonyms: principle
6. the duration of a monarch's or government's power
   • "during the rule of Elizabeth"
7. dominance or power through legal authority
   • "France held undisputed dominion over vast areas of Africa"; "the rule of Caesar"
   • synonyms: dominion
8. directions that define the way a game or sport is to be conducted
   • "he knew the rules of chess"
9. any one of a systematic body of regulations defining the way of life of members of a religious order
   • "the rule of St. Dominic"
10. a rule or law concerning a natural phenomenon or the function of a complex system
    • "the principle of the conservation of mass"; "the principle of jet propulsion"; "the right-hand rule for inductive fields"
    • synonyms: principle
11. (mathematics) a standard procedure for solving a class of mathematical problems
    • "he determined the upper bound with Descartes' rule of signs"; "he gave us a general formula for attacking polynomials"
    • synonyms: formula
12. measuring stick consisting of a strip of wood or metal or plastic with a straight edge that is used for drawing straight lines and measuring lengths
    • synonyms: ruler

RULE verb

Definition of rule (verb)

1. exercise authority over; as of nations
   • "Who is governing the country now?"
   • synonyms: govern
2. decide with authority
   • "The King decreed that all firstborn males should be killed"
   • synonyms: decree
3. be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
   • "Money reigns supreme here"; "Hispanics predominate in this neighborhood"
   • synonyms: dominate, predominate, prevail, reign
4. decide on and make a declaration about
   • "find someone guilty"
   • synonyms: find
5. have an affinity with; of signs of the zodiac
6. mark or draw with a ruler
   • "rule the margins"
7. keep in check
   • "rule one's temper"
   • synonyms: harness, rein