ground rule
noun
1
: a sports rule adopted to modify play on a particular field, court, or course
2
: a rule of procedure
ground rules for selecting a superintendent—
Amer. School Board Jour.
Amer. School Board Jour.
Examples of ground rule in a Sentence
before the debate begins, let's lay out some ground rules
Recent Examples on the Web
Leaders can do this by setting a clear structure that allows both parties equal time to share their perspectives and ground rules for meetings, including no interrupting and asking questions at the end.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
Maintaining a year-round focus on respectful culture and setting ground rules for political expression and exchange are key, experts tell Newsweek.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
The trick to a no-buy challenge is to set these ground rules, says Rebecca Sowden, who is documenting her own no-buy challenge on TikTok.
—Allison McClain Merrill, Glamour, 2 Jan. 2025
Instead, White suggests talking about things in advance and setting some ground rules.
—Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 22 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ground rule 
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Expert Panel®, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
Maintaining a year-round focus on respectful culture and setting ground rules for political expression and exchange are key, experts tell Newsweek.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
The trick to a no-buy challenge is to set these ground rules, says Rebecca Sowden, who is documenting her own no-buy challenge on TikTok.
—Allison McClain Merrill, Glamour, 2 Jan. 2025
Instead, White suggests talking about things in advance and setting some ground rules.
—Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 22 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ground rule
Dictionary Entries Near ground rule
Cite this Entry
“Ground rule.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ground%20rule. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
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