rule

Meanings

• a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
  • "it was his rule to take a walk before breakfast"
• something regarded as a normative example
  • "violence is the rule not the exception"
• prescribed guide for conduct or action
• (linguistics) a rule describing (or prescribing) a linguistic practice
• a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct
• the duration of a monarch's or government's power
  • "during the rule of Elizabeth"
• dominance or power through legal authority
  • "the rule of Caesar"
• directions that define the way a game or sport is to be conducted
  • "he knew the rules of chess"
• any one of a systematic body of regulations defining the way of life of members of a religious order
  • "the rule of St. Dominic"
• a rule or law concerning a natural phenomenon or the function of a complex system
  • "the right-hand rule for inductive fields"
• (mathematics) a standard procedure for solving a class of mathematical problems
  • "he determined the upper bound with Descartes' rule of signs"
• 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
• exercise authority over; as of nations
• decide with authority
• be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
• decide on and make a declaration about
• have an affinity with; of signs of the zodiac
• mark or draw with a ruler
  • "rule the margins"
• keep in check
  • "rule one's temper"

Synonyms

convention, decree, dominate, dominion, find, formula, govern, harness, linguistic rule, normal, pattern, predominate, prescript, prevail, principle, regulation, reign, rein, ruler