Definitions (2)
Related Terms
1. Authoritative statement of what to do or not to do in a specific situation, issued by an appropriate person or body. It clarifies, demarcates, or interprets a law or policy.
2. Statement that establishes a principle or standard, and serves as a norm for guiding or mandating action or conduct. Rules may be divided into four general categories: (1) Folklore: Unpublished rules that are conveyed by behavior and are implicitly understood. (2) Guidelines: Commonly published and recommended practices that allow some discretion with their interpretation and use. (3) Mandates: Published commands that may not be ignored in any circumstance and whose violation is punished.
(4) Policies: Published rules that imply a predicted behavior and whose violation may be permitted or tolerated under certain circumstances.

Use 'rule' in a Sentence

The rule of thumb is to hold the stock for the long term as this investment strategy has been a proven success.
19 people found this helpful
It is always a good rule to treat people the way you want to be treated when making a business deal.
16 people found this helpful
I got kicked out of the class for violating a rule that the teacher had made about not talking during a lesson.
15 people found this helpful