Principle vs. Rule — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 15, 2023
Difference Between Principle and Rule
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Definitions
Principle
A principle is a proposition or value that is a guide for behavior or evaluation. In law, it is a rule that has to be or usually is to be followed.
Fiza Rafique
Sep 09, 2021
Principle
A fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behaviour or for a chain of reasoning
The basic principles of justice
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Sep 09, 2021
Principle
A general scientific theorem or law that has numerous special applications across a wide field.
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Sep 09, 2021
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Rule
An authoritative, prescribed direction for conduct, especially one of the regulations governing procedure in a legislative body or a regulation observed by the players in a game, sport, or contest.
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Sep 09, 2021
Principle
A fundamental source or basis of something
The first principle of all things was water
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Sep 09, 2021
Rule
The body of regulations prescribed by the founder of a religious order for governing the conduct of its members.
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Sep 09, 2021
Rule
A usual, customary, or generalized course of action or behavior
"The rule of life in the defense bar ordinarily is to go along and get along" (Scott Turow).
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Sep 09, 2021
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Rule
A generalized statement that describes what is true in most or all cases
In this office, hard work is the rule, not the exception.
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Sep 09, 2021
Principle
The collectivity of moral or ethical standards or judgments
A decision based on principle rather than expediency.
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Sep 09, 2021
Rule
(Mathematics) A standard method or procedure for solving a class of problems.
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Sep 09, 2021
Rule
A court decision serving as a precedent for subsequent cases
The Miranda rule.
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Sep 09, 2021
Principle
A basic or essential quality or element determining intrinsic nature or characteristic behavior
The principle of self-preservation.
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Sep 09, 2021
Principle
A rule or law concerning the functioning of natural phenomena or mechanical processes
The principle of jet propulsion.
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Sep 09, 2021
Principle
(Chemistry) One of the elements that compose a substance, especially one that gives some special quality or effect.
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Sep 09, 2021
Rule
A statute or regulation governing the court process
Rule of procedure.
Rule of evidence.
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Sep 09, 2021
Principle
A fundamental assumption or guiding belief.
We need some sort of principles to reason from.
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Sep 09, 2021
Principle
A rule used to choose among solutions to a problem.
The principle of least privilege holds that a process should only receive the permissions it needs.
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Sep 09, 2021
Rule
(Printing) A thin metal strip of various widths and designs, used to print borders or lines, as between columns.
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Sep 09, 2021
Principle
Moral rule or aspect.
I don't doubt your principles.
You are clearly a person of principle.
It's the principle of the thing; I won't do business with someone I can't trust.
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Sep 09, 2021
Principle
(physics) A rule or law of nature, or the basic idea on how the laws of nature are applied.
Bernoulli's Principle
The Pauli Exclusion Principle prevents two fermions from occupying the same state.
The principle of the internal combustion engine
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Sep 09, 2021
Rule
To have a powerful influence over; dominate
"Many found the lanky westerner naive, and supposed that he would be ruled by one of his more commanding cabinet officers" (William Marvel).
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Sep 09, 2021
Principle
A fundamental essence, particularly one producing a given quality.
Many believe that life is the result of some vital principle.
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Sep 09, 2021
Rule
To be a preeminent or dominant factor in
"It was a place where ... middle-class life was ruled by a hankering for all things foreign" (Amitav Ghosh).
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Sep 09, 2021
Principle
A source, or origin; that from which anything proceeds; fundamental substance or energy; primordial substance; ultimate element, or cause.
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Sep 09, 2021
Rule
To decide or declare authoritatively or judicially; decree
The judges ruled that the answer was acceptable. The police ruled the death a homicide. The law was ruled unconstitutional.
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Sep 09, 2021
Principle
(transitive) To equip with principles; to establish, or fix, in certain principles; to impress with any tenet or rule of conduct.
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Sep 09, 2021
Principle
A source, or origin; that from which anything proceeds; fundamental substance or energy; primordial substance; ultimate element, or cause.
The soul of man is an active principle.
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Sep 09, 2021
Principle
An original faculty or endowment.
Nature in your principles hath set [benignity].
Those active principles whose direct and ultimate object is the communication either of enjoyment or suffering.
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Sep 09, 2021
Principle
A fundamental truth; a comprehensive law or doctrine, from which others are derived, or on which others are founded; a general truth; an elementary proposition; a maxim; an axiom; a postulate.
Therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection.
A good principle, not rightly understood, may prove as hurtful as a bad.
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Sep 09, 2021
Principle
A settled rule of action; a governing law of conduct; an opinion or belief which exercises a directing influence on the life and behavior; a rule (usually, a right rule) of conduct consistently directing one's actions; as, a person of no principle.
All kinds of dishonesty destroy our pretenses to an honest principle of mind.
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Sep 09, 2021
Rule
The act of ruling; administration of law; government; empire; authority; control.
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Sep 09, 2021
Principle
Any original inherent constituent which characterizes a substance, or gives it its essential properties, and which can usually be separated by analysis; - applied especially to drugs, plant extracts, etc.
Cathartine is the bitter, purgative principle of senna.
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Sep 09, 2021
Rule
A normal condition or state of affairs.
My rule is to rise at six o'clock.
As a rule, our senior editors are serious-minded.
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Sep 09, 2021
Principle
To equip with principles; to establish, or fix, in certain principles; to impress with any tenet, or rule of conduct, good or ill.
Governors should be well principled.
Let an enthusiast be principled that he or his teacher is inspired.
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Sep 09, 2021
Principle
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
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Sep 09, 2021
Rule
(legal) An order regulating the practice of the courts, or an order made between parties to an action or a suit.
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Sep 09, 2021
Principle
A rule or standard especially of good behavior;
A man of principle
He will not violate his principles
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Sep 09, 2021
Rule
(math) A determinate method prescribed for performing any operation and producing a certain result.
A rule for extracting the cube root
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Sep 09, 2021
Principle
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
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Sep 09, 2021
Rule
A straight line continuous mark, as made by a pen or the like, especially one lying across a paper as a guide for writing.
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Sep 09, 2021
Rule
A thin plate of brass or other metal, of the same height as the type, and used for printing lines, as between columns on the same page, or in tabular work.
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Sep 09, 2021
Principle
(law) an explanation of the fundamental reasons (especially an explanation of the working of some device in terms of laws of nature);
The rationale for capital punishment
The principles of internal-combustion engines
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Sep 09, 2021
Rule
(transitive) To establish or settle by, or as by, a rule; to fix by universal or general consent, or by common practice.
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Sep 09, 2021
Rule
That which is prescribed or laid down as a guide for conduct or action; a governing direction for a specific purpose; an authoritative enactment; a regulation; a prescription; a precept; as, the rules of various societies; the rules governing a school; a rule of etiquette or propriety; the rules of cricket.
We profess to have embraced a religion which contains the most exact rules for the government of our lives.
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Sep 09, 2021
Rule
Uniform or established course of things.
'T is against the rule of nature.
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Sep 09, 2021
Rule
Systematic method or practice; as, my ule is to rise at six o'clock.
This uncivil rule; she shall know of it.
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Sep 09, 2021
Rule
The act of ruling; administration of law; government; empire; authority; control.
Obey them that have the rule over you.
His stern rule the groaning land obeyed.
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Sep 09, 2021
Rule
An order regulating the practice of the courts, or an order made between parties to an action or a suit.
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Sep 09, 2021
Rule
A determinate method prescribed for performing any operation and producing a certain result; as, a rule for extracting the cube root.
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Sep 09, 2021
Rule
A general principle concerning the formation or use of words, or a concise statement thereof; thus, it is a rule in England, that s or es , added to a noun in the singular number, forms the plural of that noun; but "man" forms its plural "men", and is an exception to the rule.
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Sep 09, 2021
Rule
A straight strip of wood, metal, or the like, which serves as a guide in drawing a straight line; a ruler.
A judicious artist will use his eye, but he will trust only to his rule.
Fiza Rafique
Sep 09, 2021
Rule
A thin plate of metal (usually brass) of the same height as the type, and used for printing lines, as between columns on the same page, or in tabular work.
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Sep 09, 2021
Rule
To control the will and actions of; to exercise authority or dominion over; to govern; to manage.
A bishop then must be blameless; . . . one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection.
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Sep 09, 2021
Rule
To control or direct by influence, counsel, or persuasion; to guide; - used chiefly in the passive.
I think she will be ruledIn all respects by me.
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Sep 09, 2021
Rule
To establish or settle by, or as by, a rule; to fix by universal or general consent, or by common practice.
That's are ruled case with the schoolmen.
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Sep 09, 2021
Rule
To require or command by rule; to give as a direction or order of court.
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Sep 09, 2021
Rule
To mark with lines made with a pen, pencil, etc., guided by a rule or ruler; to print or mark with lines by means of a rule or other contrivance effecting a similar result; as, to rule a sheet of paper of a blank book.
Fiza Rafique
Sep 09, 2021
Rule
To have power or command; to exercise supreme authority; - often followed by over.
By me princes rule, and nobles.
We subdue and rule over all other creatures.
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Sep 09, 2021
Rule
To lay down and settle a rule or order of court; to decide an incidental point; to enter a rule.
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Sep 09, 2021
Rule
To keep within a (certain) range for a time; to be in general, or as a rule; as, prices ruled lower yesterday than the day before.
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Sep 09, 2021
Rule
A principle or condition that customarily governs behavior;
It was his rule to take a walk before breakfast
Short haircuts were the regulation
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Sep 09, 2021
Rule
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
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Sep 09, 2021
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
Fiza Rafique
Sep 09, 2021
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
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Sep 09, 2021
Rule
The duration of a monarch's or government's power;
During the rule of Elizabeth
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Sep 09, 2021
Rule
Dominance or power through legal authority;
France held undisputed dominion over vast areas of Africa
The rule of Caesar
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Sep 09, 2021
Rule
Directions that define the way a game or sport is to be conducted;
He knew the rules of chess
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Sep 09, 2021
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
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Sep 09, 2021
Rule
(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
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Sep 09, 2021
Rule
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
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Sep 09, 2021
Rule
Exercise authority over; as of nations;
Who is governing the country now?
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Sep 09, 2021
Rule
Decide with authority;
The King decreed that all first-born males should be killed
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Sep 09, 2021
Rule
Be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance;
Money reigns supreme here
Hispanics predominate in this neighborhood
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Sep 09, 2021
Author Spotlight
Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content editor at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
