Definitions for rule

(a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior; "it was his rule to take a walk before breakfast"; "short haircuts were the regulation")

(something regarded as a normative example; "the convention of not naming the main character"; "violence is the rule not the exception"; "his formula for impressing visitors")

(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; "their principles of composition characterized all their works")

(the duration of a monarch's or government's power; "during the rule of Elizabeth")

(dominance or power through legal authority; "France held undisputed dominion over vast areas of Africa"; "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 principle of the conservation of mass"; "the principle of jet propulsion"; "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"; "he gave us a general formula for attacking polynomials")

(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; "Who is governing the country now?")

(decide with authority; "The King decreed that all firstborn males should be killed")

(be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance; "Money reigns supreme here"; "Hispanics predominate in this neighborhood")

(decide on and make a declaration about; "find someone guilty")

(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")