The noun rule has 12 senses (first 6 from tagged texts)
1. (16) rule, regulation -- (a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior; "it was his rule to take a walk before breakfast"; "short haircuts were the regulation")
2. (15) convention, normal, pattern, rule, formula -- (something regarded as a normative example; "the convention of not naming the main character"; "violence is the rule not the exception"; "his formula for impressing visitors")
3. (10) rule, prescript -- (prescribed guide for conduct or action)
4. (7) rule, linguistic rule -- ((linguistics) a rule describing (or prescribing) a linguistic practice)
5. (3) principle, rule -- (a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct; "their principles of composition characterized all their works")
6. (1) principle, rule -- (a rule or law concerning a natural phenomenon or the function of a complex system; "the principle of the conservation of mass"; "the principle of jet propulsion"; "the right-hand rule for inductive fields")
7. rule -- (the duration of a monarch's or government's power; "during the rule of Elizabeth")
8. dominion, rule -- (dominance or power through legal authority; "France held undisputed dominion over vast areas of Africa"; "the rule of Caesar")
9. rule -- (directions that define the way a game or sport is to be conducted; "he knew the rules of chess")
10. rule -- (any one of a systematic body of regulations defining the way of life of members of a religious order; "the rule of St. Dominic")
11. rule, formula -- ((mathematics) a standard procedure for solving a class of mathematical problems; "he determined the upper bound with Descartes' rule of signs"; "he gave us a general formula for attacking polynomials")
12. rule, ruler -- (measuring stick consisting of a strip of wood or metal or plastic with a straight edge that is used for drawing straight lines and measuring lengths)
Overview of verb rule
The verb rule has 7 senses (first 4 from tagged texts)
1. (12) govern, rule -- (exercise authority over; as of nations; "Who is governing the country now?")
2. (9) rule, decree -- (decide with authority; "The King decreed that all firstborn males should be killed")
3. (2) predominate, dominate, rule, reign, prevail -- (be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance; "Money reigns supreme here"; "Hispanics predominate in this neighborhood")
4. (1) rule, find -- (decide on and make a declaration about; "find someone guilty")
5. rule -- (have an affinity with; of signs of the zodiac)
6. rule -- (mark or draw with a ruler; "rule the margins")
7. rule, harness, rein -- (keep in check; "rule one's temper")