# rule

/ˈɹuɫ/ (US) · /ɹˈuːl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rule
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 2. government or control

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- The country flourished under the rule of the new president.
- 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'

### 3. a measuring tool

noun · CEFR B1

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

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

- He used a steel rule to measure the wooden board exactly.
- The carpenter checked the alignment with a folding rule before securing the final joint of the cabinet.

### 4. the usual way

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- As a rule, we don't allow pets in the office.
- While exceptions are occasionally made for emergencies, punctuality is the rule in this department.

Usage: commonly used in the phrase 'as a rule'

### 5. to govern

verb · CEFR B1

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

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

- The queen ruled the island nation for over fifty years.
- 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

### 6. to make a legal decision

verb · CEFR B2 · Formal

to give an official or legal decision about something.

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

- The judge ruled that the evidence was not strong enough.
- 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'

### 7. to be great

verb · CEFR B1 · Slang · Informal

to be very good or the best.

For teachers: to be preeminent or excellent; used to express strong approval.

- This new pizza place totally rules.
- The crowd started chanting the band's name, shouting that their latest album absolutely ruled.

Usage: intransitive; usually used in the present tense

### 8. to draw lines

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to draw straight lines on paper using a tool.

For teachers: to mark paper or another surface with straight parallel lines.

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

## Examples

- You must follow the rules of the game.
- The school has a strict rule against using mobile phones during lessons to ensure students stay focused.
- While the written rules provide a clear framework for governance, the unwritten social norms often exert a more significant influence on the daily interactions of the community.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.