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

I added in the guideline that we shouldn’t sanction an editor just because they start overusing some words or speaking in what’s “seen” as an A.I.-like tone.

From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026

A key shift in the new guideline is the push for screening at younger ages and a broader look at personal risk.

From Science Daily • Mar. 29, 2026

And for the guideline bodies: The precision-medicine framework applied to oncology and cardiology has not yet reached metabolic pharmacology.

From Slate • Mar. 22, 2026

“Never bet against America” was one of Warren Buffett’s maxims and has been a good guideline for decades.

From Barron's • Jan. 26, 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

Related Words

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