guideline

SayGYD-lyn/ˈɡaɪdˌlaɪn/

Pluralguidelines

Verbguidelines, guidelining, guidelined

4 meanings of guideline

1
nouncountable
A general rule that helps you decide how to act or behave.
Like a sign that points the way but does not tell you every single step.
The teacher gave us a guideline for writing our essays.
Simple guidelines help everyone stay safe in the pool.
Similarprinciple, recommendation, rule
Note
2
nouncountable
A plan or set of steps that helps you set standards or choose what to do.
Like a recipe that lists the steps you follow to get a good result.
The manager wrote a guideline for handling customer complaints.
We used the guidelines to plan our school project.
Similarstandard, framework, protocol, criterion
3
nouncountable
A faint line drawn to help keep letters straight and even when writing by hand.
Like the faint blue lines in a notebook that keep your handwriting straight.
She drew a light guideline before writing the sign by hand.
The pencil guidelines kept every letter the same height.
Note
4
verbtransitive
To give people rules or directions for how something should be done.
Like setting up the rules of a game so everyone knows how to play.
The coach will guideline how the team trains this season.
New rules guideline what workers can post online.
Similarregulate, govern
Note

Practice

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Origin

From the words "guide" and "line" put together.