guideline
Americannoun
-
any guide or indication of a future course of action.
guidelines on the government's future policy.
-
a lightly marked line used as a guide, as in composing a drawing, a typed page, or a line of lettering.
-
a rope or cord that serves to guide one's steps, especially over rocky terrain, through underground passages, etc.
-
a rope or wire used in guiding the movement of stage scenery or curtains being raised or lowered.
noun
Etymology
Origin of guideline
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.
Vocabulary lists containing guideline
Word Generation Weekly - Series 1
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Visual Arts - High School
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Visual Arts - Middle School
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
If the Brazil situation offers a guideline, it looks like there could be a middle-road, with some goods excluded from the levies.
From Barron's • Jun. 2, 2026
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics guideline described moderate evidence for 400 to 600 milligrams per day of flavanols to support cardiometabolic health, while emphasizing food sources rather than supplements.
From Science Daily • May 24, 2026
A proposed guideline also would set new limits on student access to the internet, prioritizing “curriculum-aligned tools” to avoid distractions from learning.
From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026
A 4% recommended withdrawal rate, a common guideline, suggests you could withdraw just $20,000 per year, adjusted for inflation.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 19, 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
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.
