<p><strong>Noun:</strong></p><ul><li>a principle or regulation governing conduct, action, procedure, arrangement, etc.:<ul><li>the rules of chess.</li></ul></li><li>Synonyms:<ul><li>order, dictate, decree, regulation, law, guideline, bylaw, standard, precept.</li></ul></li><li>the code of regulations observed by a religious order or congregation:<ul><li>the Franciscan rule.</li></ul></li><li>the customary or normal circumstance, occurrence, manner, practice, quality, etc.:<ul><li>the rule rather than the exception.</li></ul></li><li>control, government, or dominion:<ul><li>under the rule of a dictator.</li></ul></li><li>Synonyms:<ul><li>tyranny, oppression, mastery, domination, regulation, management, government, direction, sway, power, dominion, command, authority.</li></ul></li><li>tenure or conduct of reign or office:<ul><li>during the rule of George III.</li></ul></li><li>a prescribed mathematical method for performing a calculation or solving a problem.</li><li>ruler (def 2).</li><li>Rule, Astronomy:<ul><li>the constellation Norma.</li></ul></li><li>Printing:<ul><li>a thin, type-high strip of metal, for printing a solid or decorative line or lines.</li></ul></li><li>Law:<ul><li>a formal order or direction made by a court, as for governing the procedure of the court general rule or for sending the case before a referee special rule.</li></ul></li><li>a legal principle.</li><li>a court order in a particular case.</li><li>rules, Penology:<ul><li>(formerly) a fixed area in the neighborhood of certain prisons within which certain prisoners were allowed to live.</li></ul></li><li>the freedom of such an area.</li><li>Obsolete:<ul><li>behavior.</li></ul></li></ul><p><strong>Verb:</strong></p><ul><li>(used with object) ruled, rul·ing:<ul><li>to control or direct; exercise dominating power, authority, or influence over; govern:<ul><li>to rule the empire with severity.</li></ul></li><li>to decide or declare judicially or authoritatively; decree:<ul><li>The judge ruled that he should be exiled.</li></ul></li></ul></li><li>Synonyms:<ul><li>judge, dictate.</li></ul></li><li>to mark with lines, especially parallel straight lines, with the aid of a ruler or the like:<ul><li>to rule paper.</li></ul></li><li>to mark out or form (a line) by this method:<ul><li>to rule lines on paper.</li></ul></li><li>to be superior or preeminent in (a specific field or group); dominate by superiority; hold sway over:<ul><li>For centuries, England ruled the seas.</li></ul></li></ul><p><strong>Verb:</strong></p><ul><li>(used without object) ruled, rul·ing:<ul><li>to exercise dominating power or influence; predominate.</li><li>to exercise authority, dominion, or sovereignty.</li><li>to make a formal decision or ruling, as on a point at law.</li><li>to be prevalent or current:<ul><li>Higher prices ruled throughout France.</li></ul></li></ul></li></ul><p><strong>Verb Phrase:</strong></p><ul><li>to prove to be unrelated or not for consideration; eliminate; exclude:<ul><li>to rule out the possibility of error.</li></ul></li><li>to make impossible or impracticable:<ul><li>The rainstorm ruled out the holiday camping.</li></ul></li></ul>