ground rule
Americannoun
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Usually ground rules. basic or governing principles of conduct in any situation or field of endeavor.
the ground rules of press conferences.
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Sports. any of certain rules specially adopted, as in baseball and softball, for dealing with situations or circumstances arising chiefly from the particular nature of the playing area or the interference of spectators.
noun
Etymology
Origin of ground rule
An Americanism dating back to 1885–90
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.
But instead of allowing Straw and Barger to score, the play was ruled to be a ground rule double,, external putting the runners on second and third.
From BBC ● Oct. 31, 2025
He had one ground rule: no personal questions.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 27, 2024
Their only ground rule is they can’t mention the kidney while arguing.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 2, 2024
A special ground rule was established for batted balls that landed or rolled among the overflow crowd, because some spectators were forced to stand in the outfield grass.
From Washington Post ● May 1, 2023
“You’ve got to show me,” was the ground rule by which he considered all things.
From The Jacket (Star-Rover) by London, Jack
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.
