golden rule
Americannoun
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a rule of ethical conduct, usually phrased “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” paraphrased from the Sermon on the Mount in the New Testament.
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any philosophy, guiding principle, or ideal of behavior, as in a discipline, pursuit, or business.
The protesters agreed that their golden rule would be “no violence.”
noun
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any of a number of rules of fair conduct, such as Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them (Matthew 7:12) or thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself (Leviticus 19:28)
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any important principle
a golden rule of sailing is to wear a life jacket
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the principle advocated by Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown (in office 1997–2007) that a government should only borrow to invest
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another name for rule of three
Etymology
Origin of golden rule
First recorded in 1550–60
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The golden rule of credit-card spending is to pay off your balance every month.
From MarketWatch • May 8, 2026
There is no golden rule for how much is enough, says Blodgett.
From BBC • Feb. 1, 2026
Papperger had broken a golden rule of dealing with the U.S. government: Never announce anything related to the sharing of technology without first getting approval.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 29, 2025
Historically, the game has followed a golden rule.
From Slate • Nov. 18, 2025
The "golden rule" is obviously consistent with all forms of self-indulgence, and with all forms of stagnation; it might result in a civilization more static than China.
From The Book of Life by Sinclair, Upton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
