Definition of rule - Reverso English Dictionary
Noun
1.
guidelineprinciple or regulation governing conduct, action, or procedure
- The first rule of the club is confidentiality..
2.
measuring toolUK thin strip of wood or metal used for measuringUK
- She measured the fabric with a 12-inch rule..
3.
conditionnormal condition or state of affairs
- In this region, rain is the rule rather than the exception.
4.
control periodRare duration of a leader's controlRare
- The king's rule lasted for thirty years..
5.
mathematicsTECH. standard procedure in mathematicsTECH.
- The rule of three is a basic mathematical concept.
Verb
1.
politicstr./intr. govern or control a country or peopletr./intr.
- The king ruled the kingdom wisely.
2.
excelintr. US be dominant or superior in a fieldintr. US
- In the 90s, that band ruled the charts.
3.
decidetr./intr. TECH. make an official decision or judgmenttr./intr. TECH.
- The judge ruled in favor of the defendant.
4.
drawingtr. TECH. UK draw straight lines using a rulertr. TECH. UK
- She ruled the paper for her notes.
Images of rule
thin strip of wood or metal used for measuring
Expressions with rule
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remove something from consideration or possible choices
We can rule out that explanation.
have control or authority over a group or area
The king ruled over the entire kingdom.
belief that dropped food is safe if picked up quickly
She ate the cookie, citing the five-second rule.
consider something as a possible option
The committee will rule in the new proposal.
generally or usually happening or true
As a rule, she arrives early to work.
change a rule slightly to fit a situation
The teacher decided to bend a rule for the student.
general guideline based on experience, not exact science
As a rule of thumb, add one cup of water.
examine something carefully and thoroughly
The manager ran the rule over the report.
control by a large crowd acting without legal authority
The city descended into mob rule during the riots..
lead with strict, authoritarian control and no tolerance for dissent
The dictator ruled with an iron fist, allowing no opposition.
govern people in a very strict and harsh way
The king would rule with an iron hand.
basic principle that should always be followed to ensure success
He followed the golden rule of investing: buy low, sell high..
establish a regular habit or practice
I make it a rule to exercise daily.
political system with one person holding all power
The country suffered under one-man rule for decades.
accepted practice in a particular area
In business, punctuality is a rule of the road.
have control over a group or situation
In our family, it's my sister who rules the roost.
socially dominate a school's student population
The cheerleaders rule the school with their popularity.
guideline allowing food to be eaten if picked up within ten seconds
He quickly grabbed the cookie, citing the ten-second rule.
exceptions show that a general rule is usually true
There are a few late students, but the exceptions prove the rule.
rule understood but not written or spoken
It's an unspoken rule to be quiet in the library.
guideline understood but not recorded
It's an unwritten rule to tip the waiter.
exception highlighting a general rule's validity
The lone quiet student was the exception that confirms the rule.
show exceptions that confirm a general rule's usual truth
Exceptions that prove the rule show the rule is mostly true.
make a formal decision about something
The judge will rule on the case next week..
Origin of rule
Latin, regula (straight stick)
Terms with rule included in their meaning
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illustration
something illustrating or explaining a rule
deadline rule
within a certain elapsed time
regulation
rule made by an authority for regulation or procedure
grammar rule
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
legal violation
act of breaking a law or rule
judging rule
rule or principle used to judge or decide something
regulation
introduce a new rule or system
rule breaking
fail to follow a rule or command
disobey
choose not to obey a rule or instruction
payment rule
requirement to pay the precise amount with no change given
strict rule
rule or situation where only one try is allowed
workplace policy
rule prohibiting smoking in an area
play
game rule where players follow commands beginning with a leader's phrase
approximation
used to show that a number or rule is only approximate
rules
according to a rule or standard
education
the use of a rule or knowledge in a situation
politics
relating to a political ideology favoring collective ownership and party rule
measurement
go beyond some limit or rule
rule deviation
instance of not following a rule or usual practice
mathematics
symbolic representation of a mathematical rule
sports
commit a rule violation in sports
political authority
rule or manage a country or organization
rule
connected with law or law practice
rule or punishment
of only moderate severity not strict
Examples of rule in a sentence
Breaking the rule will result in a penalty. He drew a straight line using a rule. The carpenter's rule was worn from years of use. In summer, high temperatures are the rule here. In this office, silence is the rule during meetings. Her rule was marked by peace and prosperity.
The dictator's rule was oppressive and harsh. Understanding the rule of exponents is crucial. The rule for solving equations was applied. The president ruled the nation with a firm hand. The council ruled the city with fairness and justice. She ruled the tennis courts with her skills. The company rules the tech industry with innovation. The committee ruled to postpone the meeting. The court ruled against the new law. He ruled the margins for his art project. The architect ruled the lines on the blueprint.
View all translations of rule
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:règle, gouverner, ...
- German:Regel, regieren, ...
- Italian:regola, governare, ...
- Spanish:regla, gobernar, ...
- Portuguese:regra, governar, ...
- Chinese:规则, 治理, ...
- Japanese:規則, 統治する, ...
- Arabic:قَاعِدَة, حَكَمَ, ...
- Hebrew:כְּלָל, לִמְשׁוֹל, ...
- Russian:правило, править, ...
- Ukrainian:правило, керувати, ...
- Hindi:नियम, शासन करना, ...
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