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 superintendentAmer. 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Instead, White suggests talking about things in advance and setting some ground rules. Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 22 Dec. 2024 To keep meetings from turning into complaint sessions, set ground rules ahead of time. Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024 Ukraine was quick to take action under the new ground rules, and began using coalition provided weaponry against targets in Russia just days later. Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 21 Nov. 2024 Players can trade freely, but the robber mechanic can cause arguments, so set some ground rules. Boutayna Chokrane, WIRED, 3 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ground rule 

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ground rule was in 1890

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 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

ground rule

noun
: a rule set up for a specified activity
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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