ground rule

noun

1
: a sports rule adopted to modify play on a particular field, court, or course
2
: a rule of procedure
ground rules for selecting a superintendentAmer. School Board Jour.

Examples of ground rule in a Sentence

before the debate begins, let's lay out some ground rules
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The law also allows universities to set some ground rules about when, where, and how these activities can take place, but those rules can’t favor one viewpoint over another. Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Mar. 2025 In its waning days, the Biden-era Justice Department proposed the court could use a challenge to a money laundering law as a vehicle to lay down ground rules. Ella Lee, The Hill, 19 Mar. 2025 Failing to establish ground rules and expectations from the beginning can eat into your freelance business revenue because clients can take advantage of you, resulting in overwork without fair pay. Rachel Wells, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025 Teams should establish norms that encourage idea sharing without fear of reprisal, including ground rules like listening to understand, asking clarifying questions and refraining from interruptive or dismissive behaviors. Anna Barnhill, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ground rule

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ground rule was in 1890

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ground rule.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ground%20rule. Accessed 11 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

ground rule

noun
: a rule set up for a specified activity
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!