(sports) A rule regarding play on a specific field, course, or court. / (idiomatic, usually in the plural) The basic rules or standards; whatever someone must know before proceeding.

Rule of a group of people by their own leaders as opposed to rule imposed by a foreign government or people.

(law) The method of strictly interpreting a statute according to the meaning, established by convention, of the words used therein.

(idiomatic) To work slowly by strictly following all work rules, usually in a work-to-rule job action, as part of unionized labor protest.

A labor protest in which employees do only the minimum work required by the rules of a workplace, following safety or other regulations to the letter in order to cause a slowdown.

Of or pertaining to such a protest.

Women, particularly mothers, have a decisive influence on the future direction of society because they raise and nurture the next generation.

(informal) The belief that food dropped on the ground may safely be eaten provided it is picked up within five seconds of touching the ground.

(transport, idiomatic) A rule of thumb for safe driving by which a driver must maintain a two-second distance from the vehicle in front.

(baseball) A rule providing that a fair fly ball hit with a force play at third base, which is deemed catchable by an umpire, be ruled an out irrespective of the fielder's play, eliminating the force play at all bases.