rule
noun
1. a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
- it was his rule to take a walk before breakfast
Similar word(s): regulation
Definition categories: thought, concept, conception, construct
2. something regarded as a normative example
- violence is the rule not the exception
Similar word(s): convention, formula, normal, pattern
Definition categories: thought, practice
3. prescribed guide for conduct or action
Similar word(s): prescript
Definition categories: communication, direction, instruction
4. (linguistics) a rule describing (or prescribing) a linguistic practice
Definition categories: communication, concept, conception, construct
5. a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct
Similar word(s): principle
Definition categories: thought, generalisation, generality, generalization
6. the duration of a monarch's or government's power
- during the rule of Elizabeth
Definition categories: time, continuance, duration
7. dominance or power through legal authority
- the rule of Caesar
Similar word(s): dominion
Definition categories: state, ascendance, ascendancy, ascendence, ascendency, control, dominance
8. directions that define the way a game or sport is to be conducted
- he knew the rules of chess
Definition categories: communication, direction, instruction
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
Definition categories: communication, direction, instruction
10. a rule or law concerning a natural phenomenon or the function of a complex system
- the right-hand rule for inductive fields
Similar word(s): principle
Definition categories: thought, law
11. (mathematics) a standard procedure for solving a class of mathematical problems
- he determined the upper bound with Descartes' rule of signs
Similar word(s): formula
Definition categories: thought, procedure, process
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
Similar word(s): ruler
Definition categories: man–made, measure
Sentences with rule as a noun:
- All participants must adhere to the rules.
- My rule is to rise at six o'clock.
- As a rule, our senior editors are serious-minded.
- a rule for extracting the cube root
verb
1. exercise authority over; as of nations
Similar word(s): govern
Definition categories: social, command, control
2. decide with authority
Similar word(s): decree
Definition categories: cognition, decide, determine
3. be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
Similar word(s): dominate, predominate, prevail, reign
Definition categories: stative
4. decide on and make a declaration about
Similar word(s): find
Definition categories: communication, judge, label, pronounce
5. have an affinity with; of signs of the zodiac
Definition categories: stative, accompany
6. mark or draw with a ruler
- rule the margins
Definition categories: creation, draw
7. keep in check
- rule one's temper
Similar word(s): harness, rein
Definition categories: change, keep, restrain
Sentences with rule as a verb:
- This game rules!