guideline

American  

[gahyd-lahyn] / ˈgaɪdˌlaɪn /

noun

1. any guide or indication of a future course of action.

   guidelines on the government's future policy.

2. a lightly marked line used as a guide, as in composing a drawing, a typed page, or a line of lettering.

3. a rope or cord that serves to guide one's steps, especially over rocky terrain, through underground passages, etc.

4. a rope or wire used in guiding the movement of stage scenery or curtains being raised or lowered.

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guideline British  

/ ˈɡaɪdˌlaɪn /

noun

1. a principle put forward to set standards or determine a course of action

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Etymology

Origin of guideline

An Americanism dating back to 1775–85; guide + line ¹

Example Sentences

TikTok declined to comment on the specific case but according to its guidelines it bans impersonation and spam accounts, as well as content that "violates someone else's intellectual property rights".

From BBC

The committee also expressed alarm at Washington's decision to rescind longstanding guidelines and policies limiting immigration enforcement operations and arrests near schools, hospitals and faith-based institutions.

From Barron's

After multiple GP and hospital visits, on 15 August antibiotics were prescribed "but not in line with St Helier Hospital's antimicrobial guidelines," the coroner wrote.

From BBC

Instead, senior administrators must develop guidelines to evaluate vendor disclosures to determine any business ties with immigration enforcement actions.

From Los Angeles Times

Its auditors analyzing a sample of ABA claims in each of those states found errors in every case, including billing for therapy while patients napped or watched videos, practices largely prohibited by Medicaid guidelines.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• code
• ground rule
• guidance
• instruction
• protocol
• rule