Phrase guide

ground rule

noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A rule regarding play on a specific field, course, or court.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: hobbies, lifestyle, sports

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The basic rules or standards; basic principles.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, plural-normally

Examples

  • Make sure everybody knows the ground rules for the trip before they leave.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

(baseball) a special rule (as in baseball) dealing with situations that arise due to the nature of the playing grounds

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: rule

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

2 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: perussääntö — the basic rules or standards; general advice that someone must know before proceeding
  • Hungarian: alapszabály — the basic rules or standards; general advice that someone must know before proceeding