guideline

noun

guide·​line ˈgīd-ˌlīn How to pronounce guideline (audio)
: a line by which one is guided: such as
a
: a cord or rope to aid a passer over a difficult point or to permit retracing a course
b
: an indication or outline of policy or conduct

Examples of guideline in a Sentence

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.
Costa Samaras, an environmental-engineering professor at Carnegie Mellon University, compared the warming goals to health officials’ guidelines on, say, cholesterol. Raymond Zhong, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025 The advisory calls for enhanced cancer warnings on alcoholic beverages and a reassessment of federal guidelines regarding alcohol consumption. Jessica Dupuy, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025 These guidelines provide recommendations and standards of care based on systematic and thorough assessment of available research. Aaron J. Masino, The Conversation, 10 Jan. 2025 The challenge of improving the country’s diet was put on stark display late last month, when the FDA released its new guidelines for which foods can be labeled as healthy. Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 9 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for guideline 

Word History

First Known Use

1785, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of guideline was in 1785

Dictionary Entries Near guideline

Cite this Entry

“Guideline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guideline. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

guideline

noun
guide·​line ˈgīd-ˌlīn How to pronounce guideline (audio)
1
: a line by which one is guided
2
: an outline of standards for future policy or action
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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