a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
"it was his rule to take a walk before breakfast"
"short haircuts were the regulation"
something regarded as a normative example
"the convention of not naming the main character"
"violence is the rule not the exception"
"his formula for impressing visitors"
(linguistics) a rule describing (or prescribing) a linguistic practice
"Linguists proposed a new rule to describe how speakers in that region consistently drop the final consonant before a vowel."
any one of a systematic body of regulations defining the way of life of members of a religious order
"the rule of St. Dominic"
A regulation, law, guideline.
"The whole town went wild after the mayor's decree, turning the quiet street into a chaotic scene of revelry."
Revelry.
In plain English: A rule is a law or guideline that you must follow.
"The unwritten rule at our office is to arrive fifteen minutes early."
be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
"Money reigns supreme here"
"Hispanics predominate in this neighborhood"
have an affinity with; of signs of the zodiac
"Leo and I really rule each other, as we share so many compatible traits under our respective signs."
To regulate, be in charge of, make decisions for, reign over.
"The children ruled through the park until sunset, laughing and chasing each other without any care for time or rules."
To revel.
In plain English: To rule something means to decide what is right or wrong and make people follow your decisions.
"The king ruled the country with justice and fairness."
Usage: Use this verb to describe exercising authority or control over people, organizations, or territories rather than physical objects like roads or games. It often implies making binding decisions that must be followed by those under your jurisdiction.
A surname.
"The famous Rule family has lived in that manor for five generations."
The word "rule" entered English from Old French and originally referred to a straight stick or bar used as a pattern for drawing lines. Its meaning later expanded through the Latin root regō, which means to keep something straight, direct, or govern.