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rule

Pronunciation: /ruːl/

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Definition of rule

noun

  • 1one of a set of explicit or understood regulations or principles governing conduct or procedure within a particular area of activity:the rules of cricket those who did break the rules would be dealt with swiftly
  • a principle that operates within a particular sphere of knowledge, describing or prescribing what is possible or allowable:the rules of grammar
  • a code of practice and discipline for a religious order or community:the Rule of St Benedict
  • 2 [mass noun] control of or dominion over an area or people:the revolution brought an end to British rule
  • 3 (the rule) the normal or customary state of things:such accidents are the exception rather than the rule
  • 4a strip of wood or other rigid material used for measuring length or marking straight lines; a ruler.
  • a thin printed line or dash.

verb

  • 1 [with object] exercise ultimate power or authority over (an area and its people):Latin America today is ruled by elected politicians [no object]:the period in which Spain ruled over Portugal
  • (of a feeling) have a powerful and restricting influence on:her whole life seemed to be ruled by fear
  • [no object] be a dominant or powerful factor: [with complement]:the black market rules supreme
  • [no object] informal be very good or the best:Jackie tells me about Hanna’s newest band, and says that it absolutely rules
  • Astrology (of a planet) have a particular influence over (a sign of the zodiac, house, etc.): the tenth House, ruled by Saturn and associated with Capricorn
  • 2 [with clause] pronounce authoritatively and legally to be the case:an industrial tribunal ruled that he was unfairly dismissed from his job
  • 3 [with object] make parallel lines across (paper): (as adjective ruled)a sheet of ruled paper
  • 4 [no object, with adverbial] (of a price or a traded commodity with regard to its price) have a specified general level or strength:in the jutes section Indus and Pak Jute ruled firm

Phrases

as a rule

usually, but not always: any architect knows that, as a rule, old buildings are more soundly built than new ones

by rule

in a regular manner according to a particular set of rules:stress is not predictable by rule and must be learned word by word

make it a rule to do something

have it as a habit or general principle to do something:I make it a rule never to mix business with pleasure

rule of law

the restriction of the arbitrary exercise of power by subordinating it to well-defined and established laws: when military dictators fall, the democrats who follow them must try to restore the rule of law

rule of the road

a custom or law regulating the direction in which two vehicles (or riders or ships) should move to pass one another on meeting, or which should give way to the other, so as to avoid collision.

rule of thumb

a broadly accurate guide or principle, based on practice rather than theory: a useful rule of thumb is that about ten hours will be needed to analyse each hour of recorded data

rule the roost

be in complete control: in this particular society men rule the roost and women have a low status and few rights

run the rule over

British examine cursorily for correctness or adequacy: he had the chance to run the rule over the Brazil team

Phrasal Verbs

rule something out (or in)

exclude (or include) something as a possibility:the prime minister ruled out a November election

Derivatives

ruleless

adjective

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French reule (noun), reuler (verb), from late Latin regulare, from Latin regula 'straight stick'

rule in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of rule in the US English dictionary

Nearby words

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