Rule | Mean of rule in English Dictionary

/ˈruːl/

• Noun
• a statement that tells you what is or is not allowed in a particular game, situation, etc.
1. I understand the basic rules of chess.
2. As long as you're living under our roof, you'll follow/obey our rules.
3. The college has strict rules for qualifying for financial assistance.
4. The new rule allows/permits employees to dress casually on Fridays.
5. Under the new rules, casual dress is now allowed.
6. the company's rules and regulations
7. It's important to learn the rules of the road before taking your driving test.
8. It's against the rules to eat during class.
9. He violated the unwritten/unspoken rule that you must thank your host before you leave a party.
10. We cannot bend/stretch the rules [=change or ignore the rules] just for you.
11. If you break the rules, you'll be asked to leave.
• a statement that tells you what is allowed or what will happen within a particular system (such as a language or science)
1. the rules of grammar
2. the rules of geometry
• a piece of advice about the best way to do something
1. Your speech will go well as long as you follow one simple rule: be confident.
2. The first rule of driving is to pay attention.
3. A good rule to follow when traveling is to do as the locals do.

• the way something usually is done or happens
1. As a rule, I don't drive in the snow. [=I don't usually drive in the snow]
2. As a general rule, electronic gadgets become smaller as they develop.
3. Friendly customer service seems to be the exception rather than the rule nowadays. [=friendly customer service seems to be rare these days]
4. They make it a rule to treat everyone fairly. [=they always treat everyone fairly]
• the control and power that a particular person, group, or government has over a country or area
1. Today we celebrate the anniversary of the country's independence from colonial rule.
2. Under her rule, the country prospered.
• a stick used for measuring things
• in the way that is most common, expected, and acceptable
1. After years of boredom, he grew tired of living by the rules.
2. She has always played by the rules throughout her career.
• a situation in which the laws of a country are obeyed by everyone
1. The courts uphold the rule of law.
• a method of doing something that is based on experience and common sense rather than exact calculation
1. 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.
• a principle that is believed and followed and that is based on the way something usually happens or is done
1. As a rule of thumb, stocks that involve greater risk also have the potential of earning you more money.
• Verb
• to have control and power over a country, area, group, etc.
1. The queen ruled for 25 years.
2. A dynasty ruled over this region during the 11th century.
3. After the overthrow of the government, chaos ruled. [=there was a lot of chaos]
4. Who will be the next leader to rule the country?
5. That summer, his band ruled the airwaves.
• to have great influence over (someone)
1. Football ruled their lives.
2. All of his actions were ruled by his religion.
• to make a legal decision about something
1. The court ruled in favor of the defendant.
2. The jury ruled against the tobacco companies.
3. How will the court rule on the motion?
4. The Supreme Court ruled the law unconstitutional.
5. The board ruled that her behavior was cheating.
• to be very good or popular
1. That movie rules! [=that movie is great]
2. Your new sneakers rule.
• to no longer consider (someone or something) as a possibility after careful thought or study
1. The police ruled them out as suspects when it was proved that they were out of town when the crime was committed.
2. There are some diseases your doctor will want to rule out before making a diagnosis.
• to make (something) impossible
1. The bad weather ruled out a picnic.
• to remove (someone) from a competition, contest, etc.
1. He applied for the job, but his lack of experience quickly ruled him out.
2. (chiefly Brit) She has been ruled out of today's game with a broken thumb.
• to rule a country, area, group, etc., in a very strict and often cruel way
1. The dictator ruled (the island) with an iron fist.