rule */*/*/

I UK [ruːl] / US [rul] noun
Word forms "rule":
singular rule plural rules

1) [countable] a statement explaining what someone can or cannot do in a particular system, game, or situation

We need new club rules before we start looking for more members.

rule of:

the basic rules of the game

break a rule (= not obey a rule):

Anyone who breaks the rules will face disciplinary action.

follow/obey a rule:

You should always follow these simple rules when using electrical equipment.

against the rules:

You can't do that, it's against the rules!

rules and regulations:

They complain that businesses are being hampered by too many rules and regulations.

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Collocations:
Verbs frequently used with rule as the object ▪  bend, break, flout, follow, obey, play by, relax, stick to, stretch

2) [countable] a statement or principle that describes the ways in which the words in a language can be used and combined

complicated grammatical rules

3) [uncountable] the person, country, political or religious group etc that officially controls or governs a place

British rule over Hong Kong ended in 1997.

The country was in tatters after 13 years of Conservative rule.

4) [countable] old-fashioned a ruler

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bend/stretch the rules — to allow something that is not normally allowed

I'm not asking anyone to bend the rules, I just want justice to be done.

- as a rule

- be the rule

- make it a rule to do something

- rule of law

- rule of thumb

- rules are rules

- work to rule

See:

golden rule, home rule

II UK [ruːl] / US [rul] verb
Word forms "rule":
present tense I/you/we/they rule he/she/it rules present participle ruling past tense ruled past participle ruled

1) [intransitive/transitive] to officially control or govern a country or area

Portugal ruled East Timor for nearly four centuries.

rule over:

At that time, the Emperor ruled over most of Europe and North Africa.

2) [intransitive/transitive] to make and announce a decision, usually about a legal matter

Mrs Kendry was ruled medically unfit to attend the hearing.

rule on:

The court still has not ruled on the Swift case.

rule (that):

Romania's Supreme Court ruled that the strike was illegal.

3) [transitive] to influence someone's thoughts or actions

Money and music rule Charlie's world.

We must not allow ourselves to be ruled by sentiment in this matter.

4) [intransitive] to be more important or successful than anyone or anything else

In the world of fashion, McQueen rules supreme.

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rule someone/something with a rod of iron — to control someone or something in a very strict way

She ruled that school with a rod of iron.

Phrasal verbs:

- rule in

- rule out

- rule out of