rule noun (INSTRUCTION)
B1 [ C usually plural ] an accepted principle or instruction that states the way things are or should be done, and tells you what you are allowed or are not allowed to do:
More examples
- There are exceptions to every rule.
- There's an unwritten rule that you don't wear jeans to work.
- They made an ineffective attempt to get the rules changed.
- Prisoners complain that they are subjected to too many petty rules and restrictions.
- Grammatical rules prescribe how words may be used together.
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rule noun (CONTROL)
C2 [ U ] a period of time during which a particular person or group is in control of a country:
More examples
- Various parts of Africa have suffered under colonial rule.
- The constituency fell to Labour at the last election, after ten years of Conservative rule.
- The president resigned after 30 years of autocratic rule.
- In the end she left home just to escape the tyrannical rule of her mother.
- The people revolted against foreign rule and established their own government.
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rule verb (CONTROL)
B2 [ I or T ] to control or be the person in charge of something such as a country:
B2 [ I or T ] to be the most important and controlling influence on someone:
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rule verb (DECIDE)
› [ I or T ] to decide officially:
More examples
- Her confession was ruled inadmissible as evidence because it was given under pressure from the police.
- The judge ruled that the directors had knowingly broken the law.
- The judge ruled her unfit to plead on the grounds of insanity.
- We won't be surprised if the judge rules in her favour.
- The player was ruled off-side and so the goal was disallowed.
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UK politics: legislation & law-making
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rule verb (DRAW)
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