1
a
: a prescribed guide for conduct or action
b
: the laws or regulations prescribed by the founder of a religious order for observance by its members
c
: an accepted procedure, custom, or habit
d(1)
: a usually written order or direction made by a court regulating court practice or the action of parties
(2)
: a legal precept or doctrine
e
: a regulation or bylaw governing procedure or controlling conduct
2
a(1)
: a usually valid generalization
(2)
: a generally prevailing quality, state, or mode
fair weather was the rule yesterday—
The New York Times
The New York Times
b
: a standard of judgment : criterion
c
: a regulating principle
d
: a determinate method for performing a mathematical operation and obtaining a certain result
3
4
a
: a strip of material marked off in units used especially for measuring : ruler sense 3, tape measure
b
: a metal strip with a type-high face that prints a linear design
also
: a linear design produced by or as if by such a strip
ruled; ruling
1
a
: to exert control, direction, or influence on
the passions that rule our minds
b
: to exercise control over especially by curbing or restraining
rule a fractious horse
ruled his appetites firmly
2
a
: to exercise authority or power over often harshly or arbitrarily
the speaker ruled the legislature with an iron hand
b
: to be preeminent in : dominate
3
: to determine and declare authoritatively
especially
: to command or determine judicially
4
a(1)
: to mark with lines drawn along or as if along the straight edge of a ruler
(2)
: to mark (a line) on a paper with a ruler
b
: to arrange in a line
1
a
: to exercise supreme authority
b
: to be first in importance or prominence : predominate
the physical did not rule in her nature—Sherwood Anderson
Sherwood Anderson2
: to exist in a specified state or condition
3
: to lay down a legal rule
4
slang
: to be extremely cool or popular
—used as a generalized term of praise or approval
for a little attitude at the right price, sneakers rule—Tish Hamilton
Tish HamiltonSynonyms
Examples of rule in a Sentence
Noun
I understand the basic rules of chess.
As long as you're living under our roof, you'll follow our rules.
The college has strict rules for qualifying for financial assistance.
The new rule allows employees to dress casually on Fridays.
Under the new rules, casual dress is now allowed.
the company's rules and regulations
It's important to learn the rules of the road before taking your driving test.
It's against the rules to eat during class.
He violated the unwritten rule that you must thank your host before you leave a party.
If you break the rules, you'll be asked to leave.
Verb
The queen ruled for 25 years.
A dynasty ruled over this region during the 11th century.
Who will be the next leader to rule the country?
All of his actions were ruled by his religion.
The court ruled in favor of the defendant.
The jury ruled against the tobacco companies.
How will the court rule on the motion?
The Supreme Court ruled the law unconstitutional.
The board ruled that her behavior was cheating.
Recent Examples on the Web
Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
No mandate exists — though stronger emissions rules could mean automakers would have to sell many more EVs by 2032 or face stiff penalties if those rules weren't changed — but Detroit automakers were part of drawing up those standards.
—Todd Spangler, Detroit Free Press, 6 Nov. 2024
Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
Previously a judge ruled the measure’s language as written by the City Council was partisan and it was changed for the ballot to remove a description of who some of the noncitizens are; plaintiffs argued the phrasing could swing voters to support the measure.
—Destiny Torres, Orange County Register, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rule 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
The incident spurred the Republican lawmaker’s effort to pass a bill this spring in the Kentucky legislature that sets rules for self-driving vehicles, including the largest commercial trucks after July 2026.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
No mandate exists — though stronger emissions rules could mean automakers would have to sell many more EVs by 2032 or face stiff penalties if those rules weren't changed — but Detroit automakers were part of drawing up those standards.
—Todd Spangler, Detroit Free Press, 6 Nov. 2024
Verb
On Monday, a Randall County judge ruled in a separate case that DeLao can keep his parental rights over his 1-year-old child with Torres.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
Previously a judge ruled the measure’s language as written by the City Council was partisan and it was changed for the ballot to remove a description of who some of the noncitizens are; plaintiffs argued the phrasing could swing voters to support the measure.
—Destiny Torres, Orange County Register, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rule
Dictionary Entries Near rule
Cite this Entry
“Rule.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rule. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rule
1 of 2 noun1
a
: a guide or principle for conduct or action
b
: an accepted method, custom, or habit
c
2
: a broad statement generally found to be true
as a rule we don't have much snow here
3
: the exercise of authority or control : government
4
Etymology
Noun
Middle English reule "a guide for proper actions," from early French reule (same meaning), from Latin regula "straightedge, ruler," from regere "to lead straight, govern, rule" — related to rail entry 1, regent, regulate
Legal Definition
rule
1 of 2 noun1
a
: a prescribed guide for conduct or action
b
: a regulating principle or precept
2
a
: an order or directive issued by a court in a particular proceeding especially upon petition of a party to the proceeding that commands an officer or party to perform an act or show cause why an act should not be performed
a rule directing the district court to show cause why its ruling should not be vacated—People v. District Court, 797 P.2d 1259 (1990)
People v. District Court, 797 P.2d 1259 (1990)
b
: a usually judicially promulgated regulation having the force of law that governs judicial practice or procedure
rules of evidence
rules of appellate procedure
see also rule of court
3
: all or part of a statement (as a regulation) by an administrative agency that has general or particular applicability and future effect and that is designed to implement, interpret, or prescribe law or policy or that describes the organization, procedure, or practice of the agency itself
a rule subject to statutory notice and comment requirements for informal rulemaking
4
a
: a regulation or bylaw governing procedure or conduct in a body, organization, institution, or proceeding
b
: a resolution of a legislative rules committee setting forth the terms for consideration of a particular bill by the entire body
5
: the exercise of authority or control
majority rule
see also home rule, rule of law sense 2
rule
2 of 2 verb
ruled; ruling
1
: to exercise authority or power over
2
: to determine and declare authoritatively
especially
: to command or determine judicially
ruled the evidence inadmissible
1
: to exercise supreme authority
2
: to lay down a rule or ruling
ruled in favor of the plaintiff
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