rule
19 ENTRIES FOUND:
plural
rules
plural
rules
Britannica Dictionary definition of RULE
1
[count]
a
:
a statement that tells you what is or is not allowed in a particular game, situation, etc.
—
see also gag rule, ground rule
-
I understand the basic rules of chess.
-
As long as you're living under our roof, you'll follow/obey our rules.
-
The college has strict rules for qualifying for financial assistance.
-
The new rule allows/permits 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/unspoken rule that you must thank your host before you leave a party.
-
We cannot bend/stretch the rules [=change or ignore the rules] just for you.
-
If you break the rules, you'll be asked to leave.
b
:
a statement that tells you what is allowed or what will happen within a particular system (such as a language or science)
-
the rules of grammar
-
the rules of geometry
2
[count]
:
a piece of advice about the best way to do something
-
Your speech will go well as long as you follow one simple rule: be confident.
-
The first rule of driving is to pay attention.
-
A good rule to follow when traveling is to do as the locals do.
3
[singular]
:
the way something usually is done or happens
-
As a rule, I don't drive in the snow. [=I don't usually drive in the snow]
-
As a general rule, electronic gadgets become smaller as they develop.
-
Friendly customer service seems to be the exception rather than the rule nowadays. [=friendly customer service seems to be rare these days]
-
They make it a rule to treat everyone fairly. [=they always treat everyone fairly]
4
[noncount]
:
the control and power that a particular person, group, or government has over a country or area
—
see also home rule, majority rule
-
Today we celebrate the anniversary of the country's independence from colonial rule.
-
Under her rule, the country prospered.
5
by the rules
:
in the way that is most common, expected, and acceptable
-
After years of boredom, he grew tired of living by the rules.
-
She has always played by the rules throughout her career.
rule of law
:
a situation in which the laws of a country are obeyed by everyone
-
The courts uphold the rule of law.
rule of thumb
1
:
a method of doing something that is based on experience and common sense rather than exact calculation
-
A good rule of thumb for keeping your closet organized is to get rid of any clothes you haven't worn in the past year.
2
:
a principle that is believed and followed and that is based on the way something usually happens or is done
-
As a rule of thumb, stocks that involve greater risk also have the potential of earning you more money.
2
rule
/ˈruːl/
verb
rules;
ruled;
ruling
2
rule
/ˈruːl/
verb
rules;
ruled;
ruling
Britannica Dictionary definition of RULE
1
:
to have control and power over a country, area, group, etc.
— sometimes used figuratively
— sometimes used figuratively
[no object]
-
The queen ruled for 25 years.
-
A dynasty ruled over this region during the 11th century.
-
After the overthrow of the government, chaos ruled. [=there was a lot of chaos]
[+ object]
-
Who will be the next leader to rule the country?
-
That summer, his band ruled the airwaves.
2
[+ object]
:
to have great influence over (someone)
-
Football ruled their lives.
-
All of his actions were ruled by his religion.
3
:
to make a legal decision about something
[no object]
-
The court ruled in favor of the defendant.
-
The jury ruled against the tobacco companies.
-
How will the court rule on the motion?
[+ object]
-
The Supreme Court ruled the law unconstitutional.
-
The board ruled that her behavior was cheating.
4
not used in progressive tenses,
[no object]
slang
:
to be very good or popular
— used to express strong admiration for someone or something
-
That movie rules! [=that movie is great]
-
Your new sneakers rule.
divide and rule
rule out
[phrasal verb]
1
rule (someone or something) out
or
rule out (someone or something)
:
to no longer consider (someone or something) as a possibility after careful thought or study
-
The police ruled them out as suspects when it was proved that they were out of town when the crime was committed.
-
There are some diseases your doctor will want to rule out before making a diagnosis.
2
rule (something) out
or
rule out (something)
:
to make (something) impossible
:
to prevent (something) from happening
-
The bad weather ruled out a picnic.
3
rule (someone) out
:
to remove (someone) from a competition, contest, etc.
-
He applied for the job, but his lack of experience quickly ruled him out.
-
(chiefly Brit) She has been ruled out of today's game with a broken thumb.
rule the roost
rule with an iron fist/hand
(chiefly US) or British rule with a rod of iron
:
to rule a country, area, group, etc., in a very strict and often cruel way
-
The dictator ruled (the island) with an iron fist.
