What is the meaning of rule?

noun

• A principle or condition that customarily governs behavior.
  • usage: "it was his rule to take a walk before breakfast"; "short haircuts were the regulation"
  • synonyms: regulation
• Something regarded as a normative example.
  • usage: "the convention of not naming the main character"; "violence is the rule not the exception"; "his formula for impressing visitors"
  • synonyms: convention, normal, pattern, formula
• Prescribed guide for conduct or action.
  • synonyms: prescript
• Linguistics) a rule describing (or prescribing) a linguistic practice.
  • synonyms: linguistic rule
• A basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct.
  • usage: "their principles of composition characterized all their works"
  • synonyms: principle
• The duration of a monarch's or government's power.
  • usage: "during the rule of Elizabeth"
• Dominance or power through legal authority.
  • usage: "France held undisputed dominion over vast areas of Africa"; "the rule of Caesar"
  • synonyms: dominion
• Directions that define the way a game or sport is to be conducted.
  • usage: "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.
  • usage: "the rule of St. Dominic"
• A rule or law concerning a natural phenomenon or the function of a complex system.
  • usage: "the principle of the conservation of mass"; "the principle of jet propulsion"; "the right-hand rule for inductive fields"
  • synonyms: principle
• Mathematics) a standard procedure for solving a class of mathematical problems. (
  • usage: "he determined the upper bound with Descartes' rule of signs"; "he gave us a general formula for attacking polynomials"
  • synonyms: formula
• 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.
  • synonyms: ruler

verb

• Exercise authority over; as of nations.
  • usage: "Who is governing the country now"
  • synonyms: govern
• Decide with authority.
  • usage: "The King decreed that all firstborn males should be killed"
  • synonyms: decree
• Be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance.
  • usage: "Money reigns supreme here"; "Hispanics predominate in this neighborhood"
  • synonyms: predominate, dominate, reign, prevail
• Decide on and make a declaration about.
  • usage: "find someone guilty"
  • synonyms: find
• Have an affinity with; of signs of the zodiac.
• Mark or draw with a ruler.
  • usage: "rule the margins"
• Keep in check.
  • usage: "rule one's temper"
  • synonyms: harness, rein