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norm Definition

norm (nôrm)

noun

a standard, model, or pattern for a group; esp.,

  1. such a standard of achievement as represented by the median or average achievement of a large group
  2. a standard of conduct that should or must be followed
  3. a way of behaving typical of a certain group

Etymology: L norma, carpenter's square, rule, prob. via Etr < Gr gnōmōn, carpenter's square, lit., one that knows: see gnomon

norm Synonyms

norm

n.

average, standard, model, pattern; see average 1, criterion, measure 2, model 2. See syn. study at average.

norm Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • violate: Such inquiries may violate the norms of western culture.
  • prevail: Architecture there is about ' accommodation ' , not ' transgression ' of prevailing norms.
  • become: We need more teachers in training to avoid the four-day week becoming the norm.
  • accept: These may summarize new steels or may be revisions of previously accepted norms.
  • establish: This established a norm for the pacing of the activity.

Preposition: against

  • proliferation: In the post-Cold War world, effective norms against proliferation are inseparable from norms against nuclear weapons per se.

Adjective modifier

  • accepted: Organizational structures become flatter, management becomes more entrepreneurial and results-oriented and more inclined to challenge accepted norms.
  • societal: We query the urge to make conjoined twins conform to societal norms.
  • cultural: There were also a number of clear cultural norms in the highest performing firms.
  • subjective: These were: attitude; subjective norm; behavioral norm; and perceived behavioral control.
  • behavioral: In this regard, I would like to propose the concept of shared or mutual value-creation as a behavioral norm for the new era.
  • moral: This is more akin to a moral norm or a code of conduct among a group of pile owners.

Modifies a noun

  • follower: Also, the equality within the group of norm followers is substantially lower than the Strategic group.
  • bishop: The country that says norm bishop economy improves consumer.

Noun used with modifier

  • non-proliferation: The global non-proliferation norm has been firmly established - and it has been reaffirmed in your last two review conferences.
  • nonproliferation: Either way, the international community is confronted with the growing failure of nonproliferation norms and supplier cartels to restrain proliferation.

Preposition: of

  • morality: Conscience, therefore, is the immediate subjective rule or norm of morality.
  • behavior: The norms of citation behavior: prolegomena to the footnote.
  • behavior: However, common to such interventions is some reference to norms of managerial behavior, what the manager should do.
norm Quotes

All that mattersisthatthemiraculousbecomesthenorm.

—Miller, Henry Valentine

Il n'y avait pas d'anormaux quand l'homosexualite¤   e¤  tait la norme. There was nothing abnormal about it when homosexuality was the norm.

—Proust, Marcel