RULE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does rule mean? 

• RULE (noun)
  The noun RULE has 12 senses:

1. a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior

2. something regarded as a normative example

3. prescribed guide for conduct or action

4. (linguistics) a rule describing (or prescribing) a linguistic practice

5. a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct

6. the duration of a monarch's or government's power

7. dominance or power through legal authority

8. directions that define the way a game or sport is to be conducted

9. any one of a systematic body of regulations defining the way of life of members of a religious order

10. a rule or law concerning a natural phenomenon or the function of a complex system

11. (mathematics) a standard procedure for solving a class of mathematical problems

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

  Familiarity information: RULE used as a noun is familiar.

• RULE (verb)
  The verb RULE has 7 senses:

1. exercise authority over; as of nations

2. decide with authority

3. be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance

4. decide on and make a declaration about

5. have an affinity with; of signs of the zodiac

6. mark or draw with a ruler

7. keep in check

  Familiarity information: RULE used as a verb is common.

 Dictionary entry details 

• RULE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A principle or condition that customarily governs behavior

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

regulation; rule

Context example:

short haircuts were the regulation

Hypernyms ("rule" is a kind of...):

concept; conception; construct (an abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "rule"):

working principle; working rule (a rule that is adequate to permit work to be done)

cy pres; cy pres doctrine; rule of cy pres (a rule that when literal compliance is impossible the intention of a donor or testator should be carried out as nearly as possible)

guideline; guidepost; rule of thumb (a rule or principle that provides guidance to appropriate behavior)

limitation; restriction (a principle that limits the extent of something)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Something regarded as a normative example

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

convention; formula; normal; pattern; rule

Context example:

his formula for impressing visitors

Hypernyms ("rule" is a kind of...):

practice (knowledge of how something is usually done)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "rule"):

mores ((sociology) the conventions that embody the fundamental values of a group)

code of behavior; code of conduct (a set of conventional principles and expectations that are considered binding on any person who is a member of a particular group)

universal (a behavioral convention or pattern characteristic of all members of a particular culture or of all human beings)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Prescribed guide for conduct or action

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

prescript; rule

Hypernyms ("rule" is a kind of...):

direction; instruction (a message describing how something is to be done)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "rule"):

communications protocol; protocol ((computer science) rules determining the format and transmission of data)

rubric (an authoritative rule of conduct or procedure)

etiquette (rules governing socially acceptable behavior)

canon (a rule or especially body of rules or principles generally established as valid and fundamental in a field of art or philosophy)

ordinance; regulation; dictate (an authoritative rule)

GIGO ((computer science) a rule stating that the quality of the output is a function of the quality of the input; put garbage in and you get garbage out)

precept; principle (rule of personal conduct)

Miranda rule (the rule that police (when interrogating you after an arrest) are obliged to warn you that anything you say may be used as evidence and to read you your constitutional rights (the right to a lawyer and the right to remain silent until advised by a lawyer))

rule of evidence ((law) a rule of law whereby any alleged matter of fact that is submitted for investigation at a judicial trial is established or disproved)

order; parliamentary law; parliamentary procedure; rules of order (a body of rules followed by an assembly)

bylaw (a rule adopted by an organization in order to regulate its own affairs and the behavior of its members)

golden rule (any important rule)

Holonyms ("rule" is a part of...):

book; rule book (a collection of rules or prescribed standards on the basis of which decisions are made)

Derivation:

rule (decide with authority)

Sense 4

Meaning:

(linguistics) a rule describing (or prescribing) a linguistic practice

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

linguistic rule; rule

Hypernyms ("rule" is a kind of...):

concept; conception; construct (an abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances)

Domain category:

linguistics (the scientific study of language)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "rule"):

linguistic universal; universal ((linguistics) a grammatical rule (or other linguistic feature) that is found in all languages)

grammatical rule; rule of grammar (a linguistic rule for the syntax of grammatical utterances)

morphological rule; rule of morphology (a linguistic rule for the formation of words)

Sense 5

Meaning:

A basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

principle; rule

Context example:

their principles of composition characterized all their works

Hypernyms ("rule" is a kind of...):

generalisation; generality; generalization (an idea or conclusion having general application)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "rule"):

yin (the dark negative feminine principle in Chinese dualistic cosmology)

feng shui (rules in Chinese philosophy that govern spatial arrangement and orientation in relation to patterns of yin and yang and the flow of energy (qi); the favorable or unfavorable effects are taken into consideration in designing and siting buildings and graves and furniture)

yang (the bright positive masculine principle in Chinese dualistic cosmology)

pillar (a fundamental principle or practice)

Sense 6

Meaning:

The duration of a monarch's or government's power

Classified under:

Nouns denoting time and temporal relations

Context example:

during the rule of Elizabeth

Hypernyms ("rule" is a kind of...):

continuance; duration (the period of time during which something continues)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "rule"):

regency (the period of time during which a regent governs)

Instance hyponyms:

Regency (the period from 1811-1820 when the Prince of Wales was regent during George III's periods of insanity)

Derivation:

rule (exercise authority over; as of nations)

Sense 7

Meaning:

Dominance or power through legal authority

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Synonyms:

dominion; rule

Context example:

the rule of Caesar

Hypernyms ("rule" is a kind of...):

ascendance; ascendancy; ascendence; ascendency; control; dominance (the state that exists when one person or group has power over another)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "rule"):

raj (British dominion over India (1757-1947))

suzerainty (the position or authority of a suzerain)

reign; sovereignty (royal authority; the dominion of a monarch)

paramountcy (the state of being paramount; the highest rank or authority)

Derivation:

rule (exercise authority over; as of nations)

Sense 8

Meaning:

Directions that define the way a game or sport is to be conducted

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Context example:

he knew the rules of chess

Hypernyms ("rule" is a kind of...):

direction; instruction (a message describing how something is to be done)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "rule"):

ground rule ((baseball) a special rule (as in baseball) dealing with situations that arise due to the nature of the playing grounds)

Holonyms ("rule" is a part of...):

book; rule book (a collection of rules or prescribed standards on the basis of which decisions are made)

Sense 9

Meaning:

Any one of a systematic body of regulations defining the way of life of members of a religious order

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Context example:

the rule of St. Dominic

Hypernyms ("rule" is a kind of...):

direction; instruction (a message describing how something is to be done)

Sense 10

Meaning:

A rule or law concerning a natural phenomenon or the function of a complex system

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

principle; rule

Context example:

the right-hand rule for inductive fields

Hypernyms ("rule" is a kind of...):

law; law of nature (a generalization that describes recurring facts or events in nature)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "rule"):

Naegele's rule (rule for calculating an expected delivery date; subtract three months from the first day of the last menstrual period and add seven days to that date)

localisation; localisation of function; localisation principle; localization; localization of function; localization principle ((physiology) the principle that specific functions have relatively circumscribed locations in some particular part or organ of the body)

mass-action principle; mass action ((neurology) the principle that the cortex of the brain operates as a coordinated system with large masses of neural tissue involved in all complex functioning)

principle of superposition; superposition; superposition principle ((geology) the principle that in a series of stratified sedimentary rocks the lowest stratum is the oldest)

Huygens' principle of superposition; principle of superposition (the displacement of any point due to the superposition of wave systems is equal to the sum of the displacements of the individual waves at that point)

principle of liquid displacement ((hydrostatics) the volume of a body immersed in a fluid is equal to the volume of the displaced fluid)

law of parsimony; Occam's Razor; Ockham's Razor; principle of parsimony (the principle that entities should not be multiplied needlessly; the simplest of two competing theories is to be preferred)

Gestalt law of organization; Gestalt principle of organization (a principle of Gestalt psychology that identifies factors leading to particular forms of perceptual organization)

mass-energy equivalence ((physics) the principle that a measured quantity of mass is equivalent (according to relativity theory) to a measured quantity of energy)

Gresham's Law ((economics) the principle that when two kinds of money having the same denominational value are in circulation the intrinsically more valuable money will be hoarded and the money of lower intrinsic value will circulate more freely until the intrinsically more valuable money is driven out of circulation; bad money drives out good; credited to Sir Thomas Gresham)

Le Chatelier's law; Le Chatelier's principle; Le Chatelier-Braun principle; Le Chatelier principle (the principle that if any change is imposed on a system that is in equilibrium then the system tends to adjust to a new equilibrium counteracting the change)

principle of equivalence ((physics) the principle that an observer has no way of distinguishing whether his laboratory is in a uniform gravitational field or is in an accelerated frame of reference)

Sense 11

Meaning:

(mathematics) a standard procedure for solving a class of mathematical problems

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

formula; rule

Context example:

he gave us a general formula for attacking polynomials

Hypernyms ("rule" is a kind of...):

procedure; process (a particular course of action intended to achieve a result)

Domain category:

math; mathematics; maths (a science (or group of related sciences) dealing with the logic of quantity and shape and arrangement)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "rule"):

metarule (a rule that describes how other rules should be used (as in AI))

algorithm; algorithmic program; algorithmic rule (a precise rule (or set of rules) specifying how to solve some problem)

heuristic; heuristic program; heuristic rule (a commonsense rule (or set of rules) intended to increase the probability of solving some problem)

recursion ((mathematics) an expression such that each term is generated by repeating a particular mathematical operation)

Sense 12

Meaning:

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

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

rule; ruler

Hypernyms ("rule" is a kind of...):

measure; measuring rod; measuring stick (measuring instrument having a sequence of marks at regular intervals; used as a reference in making measurements)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "rule"):

foot rule (a ruler one foot long)

meterstick; metrestick (a rule one meter long (usually marked off in centimeters and millimeters))

yard measure; yardstick (a ruler or tape that is three feet long)

carpenter's rule (a rule used by a carpenter)

Derivation:

rule (mark or draw with a ruler)

• RULE (verb)

Conjugation:

Sense 1

Meaning:

Exercise authority over; as of nations

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Synonyms:

govern; rule

Context example:

Who is governing the country now?

Hypernyms (to "rule" is one way to...):

command; control (exercise authoritative control or power over)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "rule"):

throne (sit on the throne as a ruler)

misgovern (govern badly)

dictate (rule as a dictator)

reign (have sovereign power)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

rule (dominance or power through legal authority)

rule (the duration of a monarch's or government's power)

ruler (a person who rules or commands)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Decide with authority

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Synonyms:

decree; rule

Context example:

The King decreed that all firstborn males should be killed

Hypernyms (to "rule" is one way to...):

decide; determine; make up one's mind (reach, make, or come to a decision about something)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "rule"):

override; overrule; overthrow; overturn; reverse (rule against)

rule in; rule out (include or exclude by determining judicially or in agreement with rules)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s that CLAUSE

Also:

rule out (make impossible, especially beforehand)

Derivation:

rule (prescribed guide for conduct or action)

ruler (a person who rules or commands)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Synonyms:

dominate; predominate; prevail; reign; rule

Context example:

Hispanics predominate in this neighborhood

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "rule"):

override (prevail over)

overarch (be central or dominant)

outbalance; outweigh; overbalance; preponderate (weigh more heavily)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Something is ----ing PP
Somebody ----s PP

Sense 4

Meaning:

Decide on and make a declaration about

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

find; rule

Context example:

find someone guilty

Hypernyms (to "rule" is one way to...):

judge; label; pronounce (pronounce judgment on)

Verb group:

feel; find (come to believe on the basis of emotion, intuitions, or indefinite grounds)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s something Adjective/Noun
Somebody ----s PP

Derivation:

ruling (the reason for a court's judgment (as opposed to the decision itself))

Sense 5

Meaning:

Have an affinity with; of signs of the zodiac

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Hypernyms (to "rule" is one way to...):

accompany; attach to; come with; go with (be present or associated with an event or entity)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something

Sense 6

Meaning:

Mark or draw with a ruler

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Context example:

rule the margins

Hypernyms (to "rule" is one way to...):

draw (represent by making a drawing of, as with a pencil, chalk, etc. on a surface)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

rule; ruler (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)

Sense 7

Meaning:

Keep in check

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

harness; rein; rule

Context example:

rule one's temper

Hypernyms (to "rule" is one way to...):

hold back; keep; keep back; restrain (prevent the action or expression of)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something

 Context examples 

Despite their tight orbits — closer than Mercury's orbit around our sun — the possibility that life could arise on a planet around such a star cannot be ruled out.

(Kepler Confirms 100+ Exoplanets During Its K2 Mission, NASA)

Prior research documented that 4-month-old infants successfully abstract rules from speech sounds and tone sequences, but failed to abstract rules in the visual domain, such as from patterns of objects.

(Infants Are Able to Learn Abstract Rules Visually, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

At this point, however, the team cannot rule out the possibility of a different mineral composition or perhaps a thinner crust.

(New Gravity Map Suggests Mars Has a Porous Crust, NASA)

Water-rock chemistry might have generated the methane, but scientists cannot rule out the possibility of biological origins.

(NASA Finds Ancient Organic Material, Mysterious Methane on Mars, NASA)

“Perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised considering that perovskites have re-written the rule book on performance in the presence of defects and disorder.”

(‘Messy’ production of perovskite material increases solar cell efficiency, University of Cambridge)

As a rule, said Holmes, the more bizarre a thing is the less mysterious it proves to be.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Then he said, The Winkies were very kind to me, and wanted me to rule over them after the Wicked Witch died.

(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)

Soon afterwards he came to a city, where a king ruled who had a daughter who was so serious that no one could make her laugh.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

“You must not be ruled by my suspicions. You must keep them secret. They are very slight, perhaps. I have no right to speak.”

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Yes, of course, but which rules?

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)