Skip to definition.
Get the FREE one-click dictionary software for Windows or the iPhone/iPad and Android apps


Noun: rule  rool
  1. A principle or condition that customarily governs behaviour
    "it was his rule to take a walk before breakfast";
    - regulation
     
  2. Something regarded as a normative example
    "violence is the rule not the exception";
    - convention, normal, pattern, formula
     
  3. Prescribed guide for conduct or action
    - prescript
     
  4. (linguistics) a rule describing (or prescribing) a linguistic practice
    - linguistic rule
     
  5. A basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct
    "their rules of composition characterized all their works";
    - principle
     
  6. The duration of a monarch's or government's power
    "during the rule of Elizabeth"
     
  7. Dominance or power through legal authority
    "the rule of Caesar";
    - dominion, raj [Asia]
     
  8. One of the directions that define the way a game or sport is to be conducted
    "he knew the rules of chess"
     
  9. Any one of a systematic body of regulations defining the way of life of members of a religious order
    "the rule of St. Dominic"
     
  10. A rule or law concerning a natural phenomenon or the function of a complex system
    "the right-hand rule for inductive fields";
    - principle
     
  11. (mathematics) a standard procedure for solving a class of mathematical problems
    "he determined the upper bound with Descartes' rule of signs";
    - formula
     
  12. Measuring stick consisting of a strip of wood, metal or plastic with a straight edge that is used for drawing straight lines and measuring lengths
    - ruler
Verb: rule  rool
  1. Exercise authority over; as of nations
    "Who is ruling the country now?";
    - govern
     
  2. Decide with authority
    "The King ruled that all firstborn males should be killed";
    - decree
     
  3. Be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
    "Hispanics rule in this neighbourhood";
    - predominate, dominate, reign, prevail
     
  4. Decide on and make a declaration about
    "rule someone guilty";
    - find
     
  5. Have an affinity with; of signs of the zodiac
     
  6. Mark or draw with a ruler
    "rule the margins"
     
  7. Keep in check
    "rule one's temper";
    - harness, rein
     
  8. Be exceptionally good or the best
    - excel, stand out, surpass

Derived forms: ruled, rules, ruling

See also: rule out

Type of: accompany, ascendance, ascendancy, ascendence, ascendency, attach to, come with, command, concept, conception, construct, continuance, control, decide, determine, direction, dominance, draw, duration, generalisation [Brit], generality, generalization, go with, hold back, instruction, judge, keep, keep back, label, law, law of nature, make up one's mind, measure, measuring rod, measuring stick, practice, procedure, process, pronounce, restrain

Part of: book, rule book

Encyclopedia: Rule, Steve