guideline

American  

[gahyd-lahyn] / ˈgaɪdˌlaɪn /

noun

• guidelines
  plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• guidelines
  plural

Etymology

Origin of guideline

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

Explanation

A guideline is a rule-of-thumb or suggestion that shows or tells you how to behave. If you want to stay healthy, you might want to follow the government's dietary guidelines. Sample guideline: go easy on the salt. In the 18th century, guideline referred to an actual line that you drew on fabric before cutting. So for example, if you wanted to cut a piece of linen to make a dress, you'd draw a guideline on it first to make sure the incision would be straight. The line guided your cut; over time, the word became a metaphor for a guide to any sort of action.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

guideline guidelines

A reasonable guideline is about a year to see the impact of a rate increase on inflation, according to Gregory Daco, chief economist at EY-Parthenon.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

The diagnostic process for HSD is complicated by the fact the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence does not have a dedicated, standalone clinical guideline for diagnosis.

From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026

Adults who met the guideline of 150 minutes of exercise per week had a modest 8 to 9% lower cardiovascular risk.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 8, 2026

Advisers today consider this guideline outdated and oversimplified because it relies on static assumptions that don’t reflect modern retirement realities such as longer life expectancies, unexpected healthcare expenses and market downturns.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 29, 2026

I realized then why he had used our rope sparingly; why he had made my guideline down to east beach from vines instead of rope.

From "The Cay" by Theodore Taylor

The legislation was limited because of complaints by mortgage servicers that many mortgage contracts and guidelines do not have allowances for state-declared emergencies.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 15, 2026

There are a number of well-known spending guidelines.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 15, 2026

Revising guidelines, Education Minister Paul Givan said that, from the start of the 2027/2028 academic year, schools will be banned from prohibiting girls wearing trousers.

From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026

That was a sign that it could have trouble buying as much bonds as investors have expected unless it relaxes guidelines on the prices it will pay.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026

But Taisin had always adhered to those guidelines.

From "Huntress" by Malinda Lo

Related Words

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