gag rule

American

noun

any rule restricting open discussion or debate concerning a given issue, especially in a deliberative body.

gag rule British

noun

any closure regulation adopted by a deliberative body

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of gag rule

An Americanism dating back to 1800–10

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.

“Judge Merchan could have initiated an inquiry into whether that violated the gag rule or namely, if Trump was responsible for violations of the gag order,” Burbank said.

From Salon • May 22, 2024

The judge has imposed a gag rule while he decides the issue.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 27, 2023

“It’s a private system with a gag rule, in effect,” Mr. Carlson said.

From New York Times • Sep. 24, 2022

A gag rule tabling every petition that discussed slavery effectively prevented members of Congress from debating the issue.

From Washington Post • Jun. 23, 2021

In May, Congress adopts a gag rule designed to prohibit any discussion of petitions related to slavery.

From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023