rule of the road
noun phrase
: a customary practice (such as driving always on a particular side of the road or yielding the right of way) developed in the interest of safety and often subsequently reinforced by law
especially
: any of the rules making up a code governing ships in matters relating to mutual safety
Examples of rule of the road in a Sentence
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In the war over who gets to define the rules of the road, the battle is over, at least for now.
—
Michael B. G. Froman, Foreign Affairs, 25 Mar. 2025
The bottom line: The U.S. wants to set the rules of the road for AI around the world as the European Union races ahead on regulations.
—Maria Curi, Axios, 12 Feb. 2025
Today, the most obvious examples of this backsliding can be found in Asia, where an increasingly assertive China is attempting to redraw the regional rules of the road, and in Europe, where Russian rubles and wan Western politicians have helped prompt the rise of illiberal parties.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
Each investor must fine-tune her rules of the road.
—Jeff Nash, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rule of the road
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Michael B. G. Froman, Foreign Affairs, 25 Mar. 2025
The bottom line: The U.S. wants to set the rules of the road for AI around the world as the European Union races ahead on regulations.
—Maria Curi, Axios, 12 Feb. 2025
Today, the most obvious examples of this backsliding can be found in Asia, where an increasingly assertive China is attempting to redraw the regional rules of the road, and in Europe, where Russian rubles and wan Western politicians have helped prompt the rise of illiberal parties.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
Each investor must fine-tune her rules of the road.
—Jeff Nash, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rule of the road
Cite this Entry
“Rule of the road.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rule%20of%20the%20road. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
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