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rule

n. · v.
US //ˈɹuɫ// UK //ɹˈuːl// rule
  1. 1 government or control (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the power or period of time that a person or group controls a country.

    the exercise of authority or control over a people or territory; the period during which a particular person or group is in power.

    Example

    The country flourished under the rule of the new president.

    Example

    Historians often debate the economic stability of the region during the long period of colonial rule.

    Usage

    often used in the pattern 'under the rule of'
  2. 2 a measuring tool (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a flat, straight tool used for measuring length or drawing straight lines.

    a straight-edged strip of wood, plastic, or metal used for measuring or as a guide for drawing lines.

    Example

    He used a steel rule to measure the wooden board exactly.

    Example

    The carpenter checked the alignment with a folding rule before securing the final joint of the cabinet.
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  1. 3 the usual way (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the thing that usually happens or the way things normally are.

    a normal or customary state of affairs; the standard condition.

    Example

    As a rule, we don't allow pets in the office.

    Example

    While exceptions are occasionally made for emergencies, punctuality is the rule in this department.

    Usage

    commonly used in the phrase 'as a rule'
  2. 4 to govern (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to have official power over a country or a group of people.

    to exercise ultimate power or authority over an area and its inhabitants.

    Example

    The queen ruled the island nation for over fifty years.

    Example

    The dynasty ruled the empire for three centuries before the revolution fundamentally altered the political landscape.

    Usage

    takes a direct object representing the place or people governed
  3. 5 to make a legal decision (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal Law

    to give an official or legal decision about something.

    to deliver an authoritative or judicial verdict on a specific matter.

    Example

    The judge ruled that the evidence was not strong enough.

    Example

    The Supreme Court ruled in favour of the plaintiff, establishing a significant precedent for future privacy cases.

    Usage

    often followed by 'that' or 'in favour of'
  4. 6 to be great (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Slang Informal

    to be very good or the best.

    to be preeminent or excellent; used to express strong approval.

    Example

    This new pizza place totally rules.

    Example

    The crowd started chanting the band's name, shouting that their latest album absolutely ruled.

    Usage

    intransitive; usually used in the present tense
  5. 7 to draw lines (v.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Printing

    to draw straight lines on paper using a tool.

    to mark paper or another surface with straight parallel lines.

    Example

    She ruled the page with a pencil before she started writing.

    Example

    The ledger was carefully ruled with red ink to separate the different columns of financial data.

    Usage

    often used in the passive voice to describe paper
Etymology 1

From Middle English reule, rewle, rule, borrowed from Old French riule, reule, from Latin regula (“straight stick, bar, ruler, pattern”), from regō (“to keep straight, direct, govern, rule”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European h₃réǵeti (“to straighten; right”), from the root h₃reǵ-; see regent. Doublet of rail, regal, regula, and rigol.

Etymology 2

From Middle English reulen, rulen, borrowed from Old French riuler, from Latin regulāre (“to regulate, rule”), from regula (“a rule”); see regular and regulate.

Etymology 3

Related to revel.

Idioms13 entries

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